Hutt City Council backs new council-owned water services model

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CouncilEnvironment & Sustainability

Published: 27 June 2025

Hutt City Council has confirmed its support for the establishment of a new, multi-council-owned organisation to manage water services across the Wellington metropolitan area.

Today's decision follows consultation earlier this year, which sought public feedback on options for the future delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services. The council's preferred option-a new entity jointly owned by councils-was supported by a strong majority of submitters.

With Hutt City Council now confirming its position, four of the five participating councils – Wellington, Porirua and Hutt City councils and Greater Wellington Regional Council – have formally agreed to proceed. Upper Hutt City Council will make its decision on 30 June.

The new organisation, with an interim name of Metro Water, will be jointly owned by the five councils and is scheduled to begin operations on 1 July 2026. The next step, following Upper Hutt's decision, is to finalise key foundation documents and governance arrangements for the new entity.