Porirua residents are underrepresented in feedback shaping the future of water services across the Wellington region, according to new consultation data.
Results from Wellington water provider Tiaki Wai show just 94 responses from Porirua City out of 1,099 submissions, or 8.6 percent of the total.
By comparison, Porirua is estimated to make up about 14 percent of the region’s population based on 2023 figures from Stats NZ.
The survey, which ran from March to April, will help inform Tiaki Wai’s Water Services Strategy ahead of the organisation taking over delivery of water services across Porirua, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Wellington City from 1 July.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said she did not believe the numbers alone reflected the full extent of local involvement.
“I wouldn’t read too much into those numbers. It’s one snapshot of engagement, not the full picture of how Porirua is involved,” Baker said.
She said councils remained heavily involved in the transition process despite the creation of the new water entity.
“Both I and our chief executive are deeply involved in this work. While Tiaki Wai will ultimately take over, councils are still very much at the table and focused on getting this right for our communities.”
Baker also said unclear communication from central government around water reform may have affected public participation.
“I do think there’s been a lack of clear, consistent communication from central government about what these reforms mean for households. That can affect how confident people feel about engaging.”
Porirua councillor Geoff Hayward said the low submission numbers reflected a wider regional issue.
“When you are talking about around 1,000 submissions on something that will affect roughly 425,000 people, you are hearing from about 0.23 percent of the population,” Hayward said.
“That is nowhere near enough to hang your hat on, no matter which part of the region you live in whether it is Newtown, Waitangirua or Stokes Valley.”
Hayward said the consultation process itself may have limited participation.
“An online, write in submission process tends to favour people who are confident putting their thoughts into formal written responses,” he said.
“That creates real barriers for many in our communities; whether that is internet access and confidence, language, time, or just not feeling comfortable engaging in that kind of bureaucratic system.”
He said alternative submission methods, including video feedback and support services, had previously improved participation in Porirua City Council consultations.
Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira chief executive Helmut Modlik said iwi representatives involved in the process believed their views had been reflected in the strategy work so far.
“My team and I have been intimately involved in the leadership process overseeing and feeding into the water service strategy and are comfortable that our views have been heard and variously reflected,” Modlik said.
He said broader Māori community engagement remained an ongoing challenge.
“There is always more work to be done on effectively engaging our Māori communities across the board not just in our own community here in Porirua.”
Across the wider consultation, respondents identified drinking water quality, infrastructure maintenance and clear pricing as top priorities.
The consultation also showed divided views on cost pressures. About 44 percent of respondents supported investment in network improvements even if it meant higher charges, while a similar proportion opposed increases.
Tiaki Wai board chair Will Peet said more than 1,150 people took part in the consultation.
“We know this is an issue that matters deeply to people, and we appreciate the level of thought and care that has gone into submissions,” Peet said.
Tiaki Wai will take ownership of water assets from councils, replacing the current model under Wellington Water, and will be responsible for decisions on investment and service delivery.
An updated Water Services Strategy, including confirmed charges for 2026-27, is expected before 30 June.