Porirua City's Long-term Plan 2024–34 (amended)

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The Long-term Plan 2024–34 was formally adopted by Council on 27 June 2024. It sets out all the detail of the Financial Strategy, Infrastructure Strategy, Revenue and Financing Policy, and the Significance and Engagement Policy.

2024-34 Long-term Plan amendment – removal of water services

Why the Long-term Plan was amended

The Council has updated the Long-term Plan (LTP) 2024–34 to reflect changes in national legislation that require all councils to remove drinking water, wastewater and stormwater (the three waters) from their plans.

From 1 July 2026, these services will be delivered by a new regional organisation, Tiaki Wai Metro Water, which is jointly owned by the five councils in the Wellington region.

Because these services, assets and budgets will no longer sit with Porirua City Council, the LTP needed to be updated so it accurately shows what the Council is responsible for and how our finances change from that date.

What changes were made

Only sections of the LTP that relate to water services from year 3 (2026/27) onward were amended. The changes include:

• removing all water-related budgets, assets, revenue and debt
• updating financial statements to reflect the smaller Council structure after water services transfer
• removing water infrastructure projects and adjusting the 10-year capital programme
• updating performance measures, assumptions and accounting policies to reflect the change in responsibility
• removing water networks from the list of Council “strategic assets” (because they transfer to Tiaki Wai).

Why consultation or audit wasn’t required

Council previously asked the community for views on the future of water services during the 2025/26 Annual Plan consultation. Most submitters supported joining the regional water service delivery organisation.

In addition, under section 93D(4) of the Local Government Act 2002, councils do not need to consult or obtain an auditor’s opinion when the amendment is required by law and relates only to removing water services. This amendment meets that threshold.

What this means for Porirua City Council

• From 1 July 2026, Tiaki Wai Metro Water will own and operate drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services.
• Council’s budgets reduce because water-related costs, revenue and debt transfer to the new entity.
• Council’s focus shifts fully to core local services such as roads, parks, libraries, waste, resilience and community facilities.
• We will continue to work closely with Tiaki Wai to support growth, protect the harbour and deliver good outcomes for Porirua city’s residents.

At the 11 December 2025 meeting, the Council approved and adopted the amendment to remove water services, budgets, assets, funding mechanisms and performance measures from July 2026.