FAQs on Amended LTP
- Porirua City Council
- Wellington City Council
- Hutt City Council
- Upper Hutt City Council
- Greater Wellington Regional Council
- removing water-related budgets, revenue, debt and assets
- updating financial statements
- removing water infrastructure projects from the capital programme
- updating performance measures, assumptions and accounting policies
- removing water networks from the list of strategic assets.
- Your Council rates will no longer include water charges.
- You’ll receive a separate water bill from the new water services entity Tiaki Wai Metro Water.
- Council’s overall spending will reduce, but we still need to fund the services we continue to provide.
- The cost of receiving water services remains — it will move from your rates bill to a separate water invoice.
- wastewater treatment plant
- pipes, pump stations and related infrastructure
- any water-related reserves or loan balances
- advocate for Porirua’s interests
- work with Tiaki Wai on growth planning
- partner on harbour health and stormwater quality
- remain involved in emergency response coordination.
- core community infrastructure
- resilience and climate change
- affordability
- supporting growth
- partnerships with mana whenua and communities.
- Porirua City Council LTP webpage: https://poriruacity.govt.nz/your-council/city-planning-and-reporting/long-term-plan-2024-34/
- Tiaki Wai Metro Water website: https://www.tiakiwaimetro.co.nz/about
- Tiaki Wai Metro Water FAQs: https://www.tiakiwaimetro.co.nz/faq
- DIA guidance on water reform: https://www.dia.govt.nz/water-Services-Policy-and-Legislation
Why did Council amend the Long-term Plan?
Changes in national legislation require all participating councils to remove drinking water, wastewater and stormwater (three waters) from their LTPs.
From 1 July 2026, these services will be delivered by a new regional organisation called Tiaki Wai Metro Water. The amendment ensures our LTP accurately reflects what Porirua City Council will be responsible for from that date.
What is Tiaki Wai Metro Water?
Tiaki Wai Metro Water will be the new regional water service delivery organisation for the Wellington Region.
It will be jointly owned by:
Tiaki Wai will manage drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services from 1 July 2026.
What parts of the LTP were amended?
Sections that relate to three waters from year 3 (2026/27) onward were the main focus for this amendment. Changes include:
Does this amendment change current water services?
Water services will continue operating normally until 1 July 2026. After that date, Tiaki Wai will take over management and delivery. No disruption to services is expected during the transition.
Why didn’t Council consult on this amendment?
The Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 provides an alternative process for amending LTPs for the purpose of the three waters transition.
Councils are not required to undertake further consultation if the community has already had an opportunity to give feedback on the preferred water service delivery model.
Porirua City consulted on this through the 2025/26 Annual Plan, presenting two options:
a. A multi-council-owned regional water organisation (preferred option)
b. A modified Wellington Water model.
The majority of submitters supported the preferred option. Because this requirement was met, Council is not required to carry out additional consultation on this amendment.
Why is this amendment exempt from audit?
Section 93D(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 2002 exempts this type of amendment from requiring an audit when it is giving effect to a change required by law.
How does the water transition affect my rates?
From 1 July 2026, Porirua City Council will no longer charge for drinking water, wastewater or stormwater through your rates. These services will be delivered and billed by Tiaki Wai Metro Water.
What this means for you:
What happens to water assets and debt?
Porirua City’s water assets, liabilities, and associated debt will transfer to Tiaki Wai.
This includes:
The transfer is scheduled for 1 July 2026, with some financial processes occurring over a transition period.
Will Council still play a role in water services?
Yes – but not as the service provider.
Council will:
We will continue to protect Te Awarua Porirua Harbour through regulation, planning, and environmental programmes.
Does this change our strategic priorities?
The amendment does not change the LTP’s strategic priorities.
However, removing water services means Council’s future focus will be on:
Will Council staff transfer to Tiaki Wai?
This amendment does not determine staffing arrangements.
Are any other Council services changing?
This amendment affects only three waters activities.
All other services, programmes and projects in the LTP remain unchanged.
Where can I go for more information?