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The Churton Park Community Association (CPCA) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the draft Tiaki Wai Water Services Strategy.
Previous submissions
In September 2025, CPCA submitted on the Wellington City Council Long-Term Plan, including matters relating to “Local Water Done Well”. We acknowledged the potential benefits of the new water services model but highlighted the need for:
- stronger operational oversight
- clearer management accountability
- greater transparency and robust governance
Tiaki Wai
We recognise the scale of the challenge in restoring water services after decades of under investment and declining public confidence. However, CPCA remains particularly concerned about:
- rapidly escalating costs to ratepayers
- the governance mechanisms overseeing Tiaki Wai
- the adequacy of public information and engagement
Cost of services
Given Wellington Water’s legacy issues, we expected improved planning and more reliable cost forecasting. It is therefore concerning that Tiaki Wai’s Water Services Delivery Plan, presented in August 2025, was followed only months later by significantly higher projected annual costs by 2036. This raises questions about the robustness of the original modelling and the level of scrutiny applied by senior management and the Board.
Public reporting has noted ministerial concern about the cost escalation, and the decision to involve the Commerce Commission reflects the seriousness of the issue. Strong oversight is essential to ensure water charges and rates do not become unsustainable.
While the region’s ageing underground network is a century-long problem, it is unreasonable to expect current ratepayers to shoulder the full cost of remedying historic under-investment within a decade. A measured, staged approach is needed that recognises the cumulative impact of water charges, rates, and wider cost-of-living pressures.
Statements by Wellington City Council’s Mayor, Andrew Little, have acknowledged the significant future cost pressures associated with water services. CPCA shares this concern.
Governance mechanisms
We note the establishment of the Tiaki Wai Board and the oversight role of the Partners Committee representing the five owning councils, alongside national and regional regulatory bodies. Despite these structures, CPCA considers that the constituent councils must retain meaningful and ongoing control of Tiaki Wai’s activities. Councils must ensure strong governance, transparency, cost efficiency, and accountability for service delivery and regulatory compliance.
A governance model that distances councils from operational oversight risks creating another cost-plus bureaucracy with limited accountability, ultimately constraining councils’ ability to set sustainable rates and maintain other essential services.
Tiaki Wai represents a major shift in how water services are funded and delivered. With multiple agencies involved, transparency and accountability to ratepayers are essential. This includes clear reporting on progress, costs, challenges, and consultation on new initiatives such as water charging proposals.
Given Wellington Water’s legacy and public concern about rising charges, regular and proactive evaluation by the owning councils is vital.
Current consultation methods rely heavily on online documents and media reporting, which do not constitute effective public engagement. More robust, accessible, and inclusive consultation is required to ensure residents understand the implications of proposed models and can contribute meaningfully.
Brian Sheppard – CPCA President – email secretary@churtonpark.org.nz