Concern Wellington ratepayers will refuse to ration water
Wellington residents are expressing frustration over high water bills and upcoming water usage restrictions. Advocates argue that the current billing system is unfair and suggest that installing water meters would provide a more equitable solution for managing consumption.
Why it matters
It highlights the tension between municipal infrastructure management, rising cost-of-living pressures, and the challenges of implementing resource conservation policies.
An advocate for ratepayers says there is a risk Wellington residents will refuse to follow water restrictions, with growing frustration over pricey bills.
Tiaki Wai's first quarterly bills were sent out over the past few weeks, leaving residents shocked at the pricetag , some over $1000.
Come September, Wellington region will be asked to only use sprinklers every second day, and just between the hours of 6-8am and 7-9pm. The Upper Hutt area was already under those restrictions.
James Ross from the Wellington Rates Payers Alliance said the rationing had been unfair for a long time, but had been hidden away in rates bills.
Now, with water charges under a spotlight in a separate Tiaki Wai bill, he said restrictions would likely not be taken well.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in