We are making significant investment in our infrastructure to ensure our community can move freely, access essential services, and fully enjoy our facilities. Over the last year, we have invested in water, road, and resilience projects to ensure the social, economic, and cultural wellbeing of our community is sustained and the health and safety of people, property, and the environment is protected.
New building consents platform Consent-IT
Council successfully implemented Consent-IT, a modern platform that supports the management of building consents. The new system replaces legacy technology and provides a more streamlined, efficient, and user-friendly experience for both customers and staff.
Consent-IT improves the way consent applications are processed by bringing key information, workflows and communications into a single digital platform. The system supports faster processing, greater transparency, and more consistent decision-making, helping Council meet growing demand while maintaining high service standards.
The implementation also created opportunities to integrate new digital tools, including artificial intelligence capabilities that assist staff with reviewing consent information and identifying relevant requirements. These enhancements support productivity and enable staff to focus on higher-value work while maintaining regulatory oversight.
The introduction of Consent-IT is an important step in Council’s wider digital transformation programme, providing a modern foundation for future improvements to consent services and helping deliver a better experience for applicants, builders, developers and residents.
Payble rates platform launch
This year, Hutt City Council launched Payble, a new online rates payment platform designed to give ratepayers greater flexibility, visibility and control over how they manage their payments. The platform supports Council’s commitment to improving customer experience and making it easier for residents to interact with Council services.
Payble allows customers to choose how and when they pay their rates, including weekly, fortnightly or monthly payment schedules. Users can view balances in real time, manage payment plans online, update payment details, and make payments using a range of secure options.
The introduction of Payble provides ratepayers with more choice while maintaining existing payment methods for those who prefer them. By offering a more flexible and customer-focused approach to rates payments, Council is helping residents better manage household costs and improving access to digital services.
Eastern Hutt Road resilience
In December 2025, Council received funding from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to progress the next phase of Eastern Hutt Road resilience works.
Substantial progress was made in detailed design and procurement workstreams. The project went to the market in July 2026 to seek a preferred contractor for the first stage of improvement works.
Pito One Landings
Mana Whenua and Council worked together to deliver two significant initiatives this year: Pito One Pā Landing and Hīkoikoi Landing.
Grounded in the cultural significance of these places to Mana Whenua and the wider Pito One community, the projects reflected a partnership approach to recognising cultural heritage, improving public spaces, restoring the health of Te Mome Stream, and supporting the tikanga of Te Puni Urupā.