Consultation is now open on the future of Wellington’s water infrastructure to ensure clean, safe, and sustainable water for generations to come. Closes 22 April 2025.
What is Local Water Done Well?
In December 2023 the Central Government announced a new direction for water services (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services) called Local Water Done Well.
Under this water reform five councils – Hutt City, Upper Hutt City, Porirua City, Wellington City, and Greater Wellington – are working together, in partnership with Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika to propose options for managing water infrastructure into the future.
Greater Wellington is seeking feedback on two proposed options:
- Our preferred option: a new, multi-council-owned organisation that would take ownership of public drinking water and wastewater networks.
- A modified version of the current model, where Wellington Water Limited would continue maintaining infrastructure and managing water services on behalf of councils.
Regardless of the chosen approach, water infrastructure will remain publicly owned and managed on behalf of ratepayers and the community.
Consultation document
Local Water Done Well
date_range Published 20 Mar 2025
Download now (PDF 25 MB) get_appLocal Water Done Well | Accessible Word version
date_range Published 25 Mar 2025
Download now (DOCX 5.8 MB) get_appIf you'd like more information, read our frequently asked questions.
Have your say today!
Visit Have Your Say by 22 April 2025 to share your feedback.
Your local council will also be consulting on the future of water services. We encourage you to participate in both consultations, as while we are working together, they cover different aspects of the water network.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at info@gw.govt.nz.
Find your local city consultation:
- Hutt City
- Upper Hutt City
- Porirua City - open 20 March to 20 April
- Wellington City - open 20 March to 20 April
If you would like to stay up to date on all of our upcoming consultations, community events and news sign up to receive our newsletter.
Greater Wellington's role
Greater Wellington has a unique position, being the only regional council in Aotearoa New Zealand with a dual role in water services delivery.
It also has a unique role for a regional council in providing drinking water to city councils for them to distribute to houses and businesses (also called ‘bulk drinking water supply’).
Check out this diagram and find out more about the Wellington region's water network.
What happens next
- All feedback will be reviewed after 22 April before recommendations are presented to the council
- Councillors will make a decision on the new water services delivery model on 26 June 2025
- Greater Wellington Councillors adopt the Water Services Delivery Plan on 21 August 2025
- Water Services Delivery Plan will be submitted to Department of Internal Affairs: 3 September 2025
- Government confirms acceptance or requests changes to the Water Services Delivery Plan
- Establishment planning: mid-2025 to mid-2026
- New model takes effect (if approved): 1 July 2026
Privacy Statement
Greater Wellington will collect, store, use and/or share your personal information in accordance with the Greater Wellington Privacy statement.
All responses will be deidentified as part of the analysis, before overall themes are shared with the public and the other councils in the Wellington Region consulting on options for a water organisation.
Greater Wellington treats all responses received through its public consultation processes as public information. As such, we may be required to release all or part of your response if a request is made under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
What's happened so far
Get in touch
- Phone:
- 0800 496 734
- Email:
- info@gw.govt.nz