New chapter for water services - Tiaki Wai Metro Water incorporated

The new organisation will provide drinking water, wastewater, and piped stormwater services for approximately 432,000 people across the Wellington metropolitan area from 1 July 2026.

The legal name Tiaki Wai Metro Water reflects that the organisation is a partnership between shareholding councils and mana whenua iwi Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika.

Tiaki Wai in Te Reo Māori means ‘carers for water’. This name captures the intent to deliver safe, reliable, environmentally and financially sustainable water services in a way that restores te mana o te wai. The name has been gifted by mana whenua. 

Metro Water remains part of the legal name to capture that the new organisation will work across metropolitan Wellington.

Tiaki Wai Metro Water will be abbreviated to Tiaki Wai.

The Board are:

• Will Peet (chair) – Wellington-based independent director and advisor with deep experience in infrastructure, transport, technology, and public sector governance.
• Jon Lamonte – former CEO of Watercare with experience in transport and logistics.
• Elena Trout – independent director and civil engineer with experience in transport, infrastructure and energy.
• Adrian Wimmers – Wellington-based commercial and infrastructure advisor and public sector governance leader.

The Board was appointed by the Advisory Oversight Group (the council and iwi governance group that guided the development of Tiaki Wai Metro Water).

Advisory Oversight Group member and Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says the calibre and experience of the Directors will ensure Tiaki Wai Metro Water has a solid foundation.

“These four people bring a wealth of leadership experience and knowledge of infrastructure and water services. They are the people we need to set the new organisation up for success.”

Following the legal incorporation of Tiaki Wai Metro Water, the Board will hold its first formal meeting next week.

Incoming councils are expected in the coming weeks to finalise key documents and appoint the Partners Committee that will oversee Tiaki Wai Metro Water.