Kia ora, welcome to Waitī Waters, the home of water services across South Wairarapa, Tararua, Carterton and Masterton Districts.
We are underway establishing your new water company – owned by your local Councils.
Waitī Waters is being established by South Wairarapa, Tararua, Carterton and Masterton Councils, in partnership with Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu, to provide safe and reliable water infrastructure and services for current and future generations.
Rising water services costs, aging infrastructure and historical underinvestment in asset renewals and maintenance have created a situation that requires attention. Solving these problems requires collaboration between Councils and a larger investment than one Council could handle on its own – that’s why we’re establishing Waitī Waters - a new regional company.
Milestone 1
The Wairarapa Tararua Councils Water Service Delivery Plans (WSDPs) were approved by DIA in October 2025.
Milestone 2
The partner councils and iwi approved the new Company’s Constitution and Shareholders’ Agreement in October 2025.
Milestone 3
The Stakeholders’ Forum with representatives from each Council and iwi was established in December 2025, following local government elections. This group will monitor the new company’s performance.
Milestone 4
Board search completed and Board members and company name announced in April 2026.
Milestone 5
Waitī Waters Chief Executive Officer recruited and starts October 2026.
Milestone 6
The Stakeholder Forum finalised its Statement of Expectations for Waitī Waters in August 2026.
Waitī Waters will provide water delivery services across the four Council areas: South Wairarapa, Tararua, Masterton and Carterton districts. This includes managing all the existing infrastructure, including:
1322km
of pipes
For water, wastewater and stormwater across the four districts.
14
reservoirs
Providing fresh drinking water across the districts.
69
pump stations
Keeping water and wastewater moving (separately of course!).
31
treatment plants
Water and wastewater treatment plants across the four districts
What's coming next?
October 2026
Our new Chief Executive starts.
Local Government Funding Agency accession process expected to be completed.
Early 2027
Our Water Services Strategy will be publicly available for feedback
Day 1 Countdown
Shareholders and Partners
When this page is viewed in te reo Māori, the content is translated using a general translation service. It does not reflect the regional dialects (mita). Or the specific vocabulary and nuances of individual iwi and hapū. Automated translation may also contain errors or miss cultural context.