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Water Questions and Answers

  • NZ Empowered
  • Feb 15
  • 12 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Click on the blue underlined words to go to the links.


Magazine Version - Less links more pictures
Magazine Version - Less links more pictures


Useful Links Tiaki Wai Strategy Documents

Tiaki Wai Login to provide feedback (Before 22 April 2026)

Ratepayers Assistance Scheme

Tiaki Wai Hardship Policy

This Article - More Links
This Article - More Links


NZ Empowered UH Water Cost Calculator 

Click on the Water Guy to calculate your water costs

Upper Hutt 2026/2027 Rates/Water Calculator

Click on the Picture to calculate an estimate 26/27 UH Rates/ GWRC Rates and Tiaki Wai Water Costs
Click on the Picture to calculate an estimate 26/27 UH Rates/ GWRC Rates and Tiaki Wai Water Costs

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QRCode for this Page

If you are reading this in printed form you can view this online at






As part of the Upper Hutt community, we have watched Social Media and had people contact us directly. These questions are taken from there..

There seems to be a lot of confusion and unanswered questions which people want to know.


We are trying to do the best we can to provide information and answers as we know it.. We have read most of the documents available on the Water transfer.


Hope these Questions and Answers help:


We don't have the depth of documents that councils do, so if you want further information we suggest contacting an elected member.



Council Contacts



Some recent Upper Hutt council communication:



Who to call for water, waste and stormwater issues?

After 1st July 2026 - Tiaki Wai ( Contact Details to come when they are available. )


Contents


  1. What are the Potential Charges from Tiaki Wai?

    1. What is the Cost Harmonisation?

  2. Where does the indicative $7 a day come from? Surely this isn't right

  3. How will Rates Rebates be affected by water/waste and stormwater being handed over to Tiaki Wai?

  4. Will my Rates go down when water is handed over?

  5. Implications for Renters/Landlords

  6. Replacing the Seaview Wastepipe

  7. When will the water meters be added and when will volumetric charging come in?

  8. How will this work if I have a disability that requires extra water?

  9. How will this work on a pension or low income?

  10. Will there be rebates for those on low incomes?

  11. What if I collect my own water

  12. What about all the Water Loss?

  13. Who will pay for Moa Point?

  14. How would those households who already have meters installed on their property be charged?

  15. Is there a water portion in the Greater Wellington Regional Council's (GWRC) Rates?

  16. Upper Hutt Council Open Workshop on Tiaki Wai - 24th Feb 2026


 What are the Potential Charges from Tiaki Wai?


  • Tiaki Wai will prepare and publish a Water Services Strategy outlining its planned investment and pricing policy. First year water costs will be provided by Tiaki Wai in its Water Services Strategy which is available for consultation between 25th March to 22nd April 2026.

  • Tiaki Wai (Metro Water) billing will be through Council for at least the first year.

  • There will be 2 bank accounts for payments, one for rates and one for water. Council will not receive any of the water payments (For those using direct debit councils will be in contact with how to set these up)

  • All Water related Debts and Assets will be transferred to Tiaki Wai from Councils on 1st July 2026 (Effectively changing the name on the Debt contracts from council to Tiaki Wai) .


From one of the early pages in the Delivery plan.

"Average residential charges are forecast to rise from approximately $2,100 per connection today to between $5,700 (based on the target financial strategy of this WSDP) and $4,800 (based on the lower-end financial scenario) by 2034"

 

How Metro Water expect to be charging for Water, Waste and Stormwater. What hasn't been included is how this will be applied.


According to Tiaki Wai documents the 1st year will be based on the 3rd year of the Long-Term Plan's costs for the 3 waters. This from calculations could be around 17% more from what we pay already based on previous numbers. Council have left out the 3rd so have calculated and got this figure. As always this is just from the information we have.




Upper Hutt Data
Upper Hutt Data

What is the Cost Harmonisation?

Cost harmonisation for the new Tiaki Wai entity is, in its simplest terms, a method to equalise all of the water bills throughout the Wellington Region so everyone is paying the same.


We have created a chart below to try and show how it might work and what you could be paying over the years to come.


At the moment water is a mixture of fixed costs and variable rating values. If we look at the last 3 years (Actuals in Blue in the chart) it shows these increase each rating year. This coming year, these costs will rise again and should be in line with the Yr3 of the Long-Term Plan. In this chart we have added the same increase as the previous year. From there the harmonisation will start where the increases will occur over the years till all Wellington Residents are paying the same (We have used the $5700 figure from the Water Services Delivery Plan)



What's with this 3.4% of Median Household Wages in 2034?



From Water Services Delivery Plan WSDP 2025
65. Since consultation, the most material change to Upper Hutt’s financial analysis has been to increase and smoothing of operational expenditure above the Long Term Plan level to cover all operating activity costs and reduce significant operating risk. After this addition, the water services charges modelled for the draft plan are currently projected to be 3.4% of projected median household income by 2034, noting the above mentioned ongoing work regarding the deliverability and affordability of the investment programme.

Pic of 3.4% of Median Household Wage from WSDP


 Pic of Projected Median Household Wage


2026

Wellington Data - Updated version with 2025 figures included.
Wellington Data - Updated version with 2025 figures included.

This is very close to the $7000 figure which The Post reported in June 2025.



Infometrics Statistics on Household Income in Wellington



Where does the indicative $7 a day come from? Surely this isn't right


From the Scott report, published in October 2024 it provided information on indicative costs for water.


  • Currently the average price per connection across the Wellington Region in 2024 is $1,711. ($32.90 per week/4.68 per day)

  • Could be up to twice current prices or a peak of about $3,000 to $4,000. ($57.70- $76.90 per week)

  • Sustainable price is estimated at about $2,596 ($49.90 per week/$7.11 per day)

  • Price rises could be up to 9% per annum on average


Up until recently there have been no other estimates/indications to go on..

Now the costs highlighted in the Water Services Delivery Plan 2025 (WSDP)


Existing average charges $2100 ($40.38 per week/$5.75 per day)

Expected charges in 2034 $4800-$5700 (@$4800 - $92.30 per week/$13.15 per day up to @5700 - $109.61 per week/$15.61 per day)


Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) Data
Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) Data

Media have also reported a potential $7000 per year cost to residents of Wellington



At $7 per day and with a population of an estimated 432,000 that would equate to .....

$3.024m per day.

$1.103b per year.


How will Rates Rebates be affected by water/waste and stormwater being handed over to Tiaki Wai?

Answer unknown at this point. Although we have heard that the rates rebate should not be affected (But no written proof)


Will my Rates go down when water is handed over?


According to the Agenda for the 18th Feb 2026 UHCC meeting the amended Long-Term Plan says yes there will be a reduction in rates required as water will be removed.


Upper Hutt Rates Data
Upper Hutt Rates Data


Implications for Renters/Landlords

"In addition, the planned shift to volumetric charging may change who pays for some water services. Property owners will be liable for charges but may be able to on-charge renters for the volumetric part of charges under the terms of the Residential Tenancies Act. If landlords do not adjust rent to recognise any on-charging it may create new affordability challenges for a group of consumers who are more likely to be on lower incomes and already experiencing housing cost pressures."


Replacing the Seaview Wastepipe



$700m to replace the 18km outfall pipe under the road at Eastbourne to a shortfall pipe into the sea near Pencarrow. The pipe needs replacing soon and has fairly regular leakage.





Cr Ultra's Facebook Post Link  stating this is a $700m replacement cost. (PDF)






When will the water meters be added and when will volumetric charging come in?


Water meters are to be progressively added over the next 4 to 6 years. From what we can see, until water meters are installed water will be charged at a portion of the overall cost to service the water, waste and stormwater. Much the same as what we have now, yet through Tiaki Wai not directly from the council.


"To roll out meters to our region we'll have to have a meter installed once every four minutes for five years over a working year so it's it's a massive undertaking and and not only that we also have the technology to support it which is which is which is a big thing."

Source YouTube Video: 13th Dec Wellington Water Meeting.


How will this work if I have a disability that requires extra water?

How will this work on a pension or low income?

Will there be rebates for those on low incomes?


There is a Ratepayers Assistance Scheme which in the process to being established through government. This seems like a reverse mortgage. https://www.lgnz.co.nz/policy-advocacy/ratepayer-assistance-scheme/


From the Water Services Delivery Plan, it seems these areas would be covered under a hardship condition which has yet to be fully determined.


Addressing equity and hardship considerations Shareholding councils have expressed a strong desire for Metro Water to develop a Customer Charter to ensure clear expectations of service and outline principles for consideration of equity and hardship. In New Zealand, Auckland Council and Watercare offer hardship support mechanisms, including tailored payment plans and targeted utility relief. It is expected that Metro Water will consider formalised affordability and hardship frameworks as part of a broader pricing and revenue strategy, including investigation of:

• tiered or concessionary tariffs for low-income households

• flexible payment plans, including smoothing and hardship write-offs

• targeted grants or credits, particularly during pricing transitions.

Further consideration of options will be undertaken by Metro Water once established. This WSDP therefore notes that:

• while average projected charges are within affordability guidelines, additional affordability support may be required for low-income or high burden households

• there is a strong case for Metro Water to develop a targeted hardship policy, informed by best practice and aligned with its obligations under future economic regulation

• acknowledging affordability concerns and responding with proportionate mitigation strategies is critical to ensuring public trust and long-term support for the transition to the new model.



What if I collect my own water

For those who are looking to collect their own water and avoid these charges, there is currently a clause in the councils Long Term Plan which states any dwelling within 100m of a town supply will be subject to a 50% charge whether connected or not.

 

What about all the Water Loss?

27th Jan 2025 - Original Link

Earlier in the month we posted about the water loss in the Wellington Water Network. Since then we have seen stats that the current regional water losses are around 41% down from 44%. Wellington Water have confirmed to us that the estimated water loss on the Public side of the Toby is 32% and that the Private side losses are 9%. Wellington Water provided this document which reflects the water losses.



So one has to ask, if the water loss from almost equivalent number of leaks on the private to public sides of the toby is so much different, why is there all of a sudden a focus on private leaks. Seems the number of leaks is not the best metric to be assessing urgency of remediation.


Who will pay for Moa Point?

We believe this has come about with the knowledge and pressure that the community is putting on the officials.

Looking at the Tiaki Wai documents we believe the "Cost to Serve" statement which Ken Laban is talking about is in Section 18 of the Foundation Documents.

Our opinion is that at best, these documents are wishy washy with assumptions, expectations or intentions instead of actuals and things which are definite. We question how can this could be voted on and passed in its current state. But it was.

We bought this up in our submissions to UHCC, but believe thanks to the social media and potentially emails which have been sent, this is coming to the surface. In our opinion, it needs to be dealt with!

Hopefully this will help and push councils to be more engaged and open with their communities.


Have a read and see how you interpret the "Cost to Serve" statement.



Water Services Delivery Plan Info
Water Services Delivery Plan Info

How would those households who already have meters installed on their property be charged?


We assume this will come under Tiaki Wai's (Metro Water) new billing system. But have not seen any reference to it. Something to ask the council.


Is there a water portion in the Greater Wellington Regional Council's (GWRC) Rates?


There is no direct Ratepayer Charge from GWRC for bulk water services on your rates bill. The water and other water related charges currently come through the Upper Hutt City Council's Rates demand.


e.g. Water, Wastewater Pan and Stormwater charges below.



What parts of the Upper Hutt Rates is part of the water portion which is to be removed?



Who owns it? Is it true local iwi own 51%?


From what we understand ownership of Tiaki Wai/Metro Water is a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) owned by five shareholding councils in the Wellington region (Wellington City, Hutt City, Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, and Greater Wellington Regional Council.

We have read and am under the understanding that Iwi can be consulted but are not shareholders.

Representatives from mana whenua (Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira) sit on our Partners Committee along with representatives from our shareholding councils.


As we understand it at this point in time, Iwi do not have a controlling vote around that table.

It seems there is a Shareholders committee and a Partners Committee. The Partners Committee would include Mana Whenua but its the shareholders committee which makes any actual decisions. Have a look and see what you think. As we have understood it, ultimately final voting lies with the CCO.





Upper Hutt Council Open Workshop on Tiaki Wai - 24th Feb 2026



Some highlights from the open workshop on Tiaki Wai

9:40 Cr Ultra is curt off with no answer to her valid question about if it is possible to extend the

delivery time of the IT systems for Tiaki Wai?

Mayor Zee stated that she would talk to Cr Ultra After.

- Not very transparent as public cannot hear the answer to the question.

10:49 - "there are increases to water charges on the horizon"

There is also a need to cover hardship, list of debtors and harmonisation.

11:11 - "we all need to be communicating with people at the right time on the thing that matters."

- The community is screaming out for costs for the 26/27 year to start but also beyond.

11:22 Bunch of decisions coming up as a council as councils over the next while.

You've got the transfer agreements.

We approved the template at our board meeting last week. That's then gone out.

A bunch of schedules which set out the particulars of each cities and the and the regional council's

going through review and then we'll finalize those in May.

14:51 We do need a multi-channel process of engagement.

- Multi Channel Engagement

- Social Media

- Advertising

- Pieces of paper in letterboxes

16:00 Tiaki Wai are available to support councillors and for councillors to ask Questions on how it will

work. So when community bail you up in the supermarket, the warehouse, wherever else you

can then explain.

- So go ahead and chat with your councillor/mayor

16:57 Water will be removed from the rates bill

Mayor Zee - The charges will broadly be inline with the LTP changes

- Is this the amended changes or changes as a result of higher water costs in 25/26 Annual Plan?

Year 2 costs are not known yet and Tiaki Wai need to assess what is the best way forward to

tackle affordability

19:34 It will hit ratepayers in the pocket.

20:33 Tiaki Wai have the ability to look a lot further forward and take out long-term debt instruments and

that will enable us to smooth things across generations in a way that we can't do today.

21:07 We have the rate payer assistance scheme going through parliament at the moment.

- This seems very much like a healthy homes loan scheme which could put residents in more debt.

- What is the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme?

The RAS is a new local government-led, low-cost loan scheme that helps ratepayers manage upfront council charges like rates, development contributions/levies and property upgrades by converting them into affordable payments over a longer period of time.

Is RAS a loan?

Yes, but it’s cheaper and/or longer-term than other sources of borrowing. RAS loans are secured against the property and repaid through a levy or on sale of the property. The RAS is expected to offer lower interest rates than comparable mortgages.




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