Water Services Strategy

Tiaki Wai is the new organisation that will deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington from 1 July 2026.

Tiaki Wai begins work with a substantial task ahead. Our water networks are under significant pressure after decades of underinvestment with many assets at risk of failure. In the 2026/27 year the focus will be on maintaining the assets to ensure services continue and progressing existing programmes of work. This will include replacing pipes across the network and continuing essential upgrades to our critical assets, including the wastewater and water treatment plants.

Property owners are already paying for water services through their rates and other charges. From 1 July 2026, the cost of water services will instead be charged by and paid directly to Tiaki Wai. Addressing the challenges and catching up on decades of underinvestment comes at a cost.

In 2026/27, water services charges, on average across all four cities, will increase by about 14.7 percent.

Charges will need to rise in coming years as investment increases to renew ageing infrastructure, improve reliability and meet regulatory requirements. We are continuing to work through the detailed financial implications and will provide further information as this work progresses.

We are conscious that everyone is facing rising costs on all sides and intend to support residential customers who are temporarily unable to meet their water services charges.