Parched prospects: The water infrastructure crisis in Wellington and elsewhere

Parched prospects: The water infrastructure crisis in Wellington and elsewhere
Wellington has been undergoing a water crisis this summer. (Image: Getty)
Dileepa Fonseka
Wellington is a city where the sun is so rare a good day is declared whenever it appears. Yet as New Zealand enters autumn, the capital city’s water authority, Wellington Water, is still putting the risk of an upgrade to the city’s water shortage alert level at 43%.  “After the recent rain, the river levels are quickly dropping back, and we’re relying on stored water to supplement the supply,” Wellington Water said.  “It remains important to conserve water and keep demand low as the end of Marc...

More Policy

Govt says university reform process is still on track
Policy

Govt says university reform process is still on track

Many university academics are wondering what happened to the Government's advice.

Greg Hurrell 29 Jul 2025
Bishop 'exploring options' to refresh critical freight study
Policy

Bishop 'exploring options' to refresh critical freight study

The study was last updated using data from 2017 and 2018.

Oliver Lewis 28 Jul 2025
Fast-track legal fight over Tauranga wharf extension
Policy

Fast-track legal fight over Tauranga wharf extension

Bay of Plenty hapū seek High Court intervention to stop expert panel being set up.

Oliver Lewis 23 Jul 2025
Contractor costs climb as Scott Base spend tops $143m
Policy

Contractor costs climb as Scott Base spend tops $143m

Antarctica NZ spent $9.3m on contractors in five months this year.

Oliver Lewis 21 Jul 2025