Wellington City Council Confirms Regional Water Entity and Long-term Plan Changes
Wellington City Council has confirmed major changes to its long-term plan and will join a new regional water entity to help address ageing infrastructure and future investment needs.
Wellington City Council has voted to support the formation of a new regional water entity as part of the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms. The proposed council-controlled organisation (CCO) would manage drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across Wellington, Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua and the wider region.
Mayor Tory Whanau says the decision marks a significant step forward in tackling long-standing underinvestment in the city’s water infrastructure.
“Getting better value-for-money and the ability to spread the cost of infrastructure over time were front of mind for Councillors and the community as we made this decision,” said the Mayor.
Public consultation on the proposal saw 72% of submissions in support. Should the remaining councils also agree to the model, a joint Water Services Delivery Plan will be finalised and submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September 2025.Key Decisions on the Long-term Plan and Annual Plan
Key decisions on the Long-term Plan and Annual Plan
The Council also made progress on its 2024–34 Long-term Plan amendment and the 2025/26 Annual Plan. Following public consultation, Councillors voted to proceed with the preferred option to increase borrowing capacity and create a $68 million investment fund by deferring and scaling back some capital projects.
Projects with adjusted budgets include:
- City Streets improvements – $130.6m in savings
- Low-cost transport projects – $67.8m in savings
- Civic Square redevelopment – $89.4m in savings
- Wellington Zoo Savannah upgrade – $1.2m in savings
- Venue upgrades – $13.2m in savings
- Community facilities (Te Awe Māpara) – $10m in savings
- Paneke Pōneke Bike Network – extended to 20 years, saving $48.3m
Despite the savings, key projects will continue. The Begonia House will remain open with a $2.9m budget for minimal repairs. The Khandallah Pool will also stay open, with Council agreeing to a $7.5m remediation. Support for Communities and Facilities
Support for communities and facilities
The Karori Event Centre will be offered back to the Karori Community Hall Trust for completion, with Council contributing $1.9m. If an agreement isn’t reached within three months, the site may be sold.
The Council also approved a $1/hour parking fee for central city motorcycle bays (capped at $6/day), to apply weekdays between 8am and 8pm. This fee is expected to contribute to the 2025/26 budget.
Rates and reserves
The proposed rates increase for 2025/26 is 12%, which includes a 1.4% sludge levy. Work is underway on a new rates differential for short-term accommodation providers, with further consultation to come.In addition, the Council confirmed it will proceed with joint management of a new public reserve at Mātai Moana on the Miramar Peninsula.
Final adoption of the updated Long-term Plan and 2025/26 Annual Plan is expected in late June, following a review by Audit NZ.
