Decades to fix Wellington water woes, mayor says outside meeting with minister

Monday, 29 January 2024

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has come out of a meeting with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown saying the capital’s pipe problems won’t be solved for decades.

But two key points — central government funding to fix the water issues and government intervention in the council — were not raised in the Monday morning meeting, she said outside Parliament.

Whanau and council chief executive Barbara McKerrow met Brown first thing this morning. The meeting followed a high-profile dressing down of Whanau and and Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy by Brown, after they allegedly failed to supply information about their council’s response to the crisis.

“The solution for water infrastructure, unfortunately is long term,” Whanau said outside Parliament, where the lawns are turning brown due to lack of watering.

“I think what the public needs to realise is it is actually going to take decades to fix the state of our pipes, and that will take the government and all of our local councils working together.”

It was “highly possible” that Wellingtonians would face years of summer water shortages, she said.

She described the meeting as “professional but positive”.

“It was a general catch up about water infrastructure in particular. Very much reiterating our commitment to improving water infrastructure, to increasing funding in our [long term plan], and prioritising water meters.”

Brown said in a statement that the meeting was positive. He said Whanau reiterated her commitment to providing the information he had requested by Thursday. “I look forward to receiving the information.”

A dry, hot summer has combined with an unprecedented amount of leaks meaning Wellingtonians face a 60% chance of being ordered not to use water outside and conserve water inside - level 3 restrictions.

There is a 23% chance of residents having to halve indoor use - level 4 restrictions - while calling a drinking water emergency and even a regional state of emergency remain on the table.

Brown had requested information on how councils were responding to the crisis but Wellington City and Upper Hutt’s responses did not meet the standard he expected, resulting in a strongly worded letter in which Brown used powers under the Local Government Act to formally request answers.

Whanau argued that her council had responded but met Brown to discuss the situation.

Guppy is due to meet Brown at 4pm.