Closed-door debate on Wellington Water cost blunder labelled ‘cover up’

Friday, 26 July 2024

Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy has labelled the decision to debate a damning report on Wellington Water behind closed doors as a “disgrace” and a “cover up”.

The comments came after the chairman of the Wellington Water Committee, Hutt City mayor Campbell Barry, moved to exclude the public during a discussion on a scathing report over a $51m blunder by Wellington Water on Friday.

Barry defended the decision, citing the need for privacy.

Prior to the meeting, The Post reported that a question mark hung over chief executive Tonia Haskell and noted the independent report had highlighted serious concerns over the management of Wellington Water.

Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy has accused the Wellington Water Committee of a “cover-up” over an independent report on a $51m mistake by the water entity.

Guppy, who has long been a critic of Wellington Water’s performance, opposed the need for secrecy.

“This smacks of report after report (critical of Wellington Water) it is a cover-up again … to not discuss this in public is disgraceful.”

Earlier in the meeting, Greater Wellington representative Ros Connelly noted that a previous report on fluoride had raised similar concerns to the latest report.

A major step in protecting the pipe that supplies Wellington with 40% of its drinking water was taken recently with a new bridge over the Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River at Silverstream. The bridge is part of a $93m project to upgrade the supply of drinking water. A report on Wellington Water, released this week, noted it needs to improve its management of large financial projects.

She accused Wellington Water management of “shutting down the debate” by wrongly claiming those recommendations had been implemented.

Connelly also asked the consultants if the figure of $51m was correct.

One of the authors of the report, Roy Baker, replied more work was needed to find out if the figure was accurate.

After more than half an hour behind closed doors, the committee emerged with an action plan to implement the recommendations in the report.

Barry read out a prepared statement noting that the report raised “serious questions” about the management and advice provided by Wellington Water.

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau expressed thanks for the “honest and damning” report.

“I do believe it will put us on a better path to address our water issues.”

The report reflected the issues raised previously by her council and she called on Wellington Water, and the board, to work more closely together.

Wellington Water chief executive Tonia Haskell was present as a damning report on the organisation was discussed by the Water Committee. She did not take part in the discussion.

Wellington Water chairperson Nick Leggett said the board would be taking a closer interest in the day to day running of the organisation.

“We will be close to the action on your behalf as shareholders.”

The action plan would demonstrate that Wellington Water could make change, he said, especially in the area of financial controls and auditing.

Leggett said he and Haskell would be meeting with staff later on Friday to discuss the report.

On Thursday, Leggett said the board was determined to take steps to make sure that the blunder was never repeated and he offered an “unreserved apology” to councils and residents in the region.

The Post approached Wellington Water management for comment. A spokesperson replied Haskell did not want to comment publicly.