Welcome to Greater Wellington's Summary of the Annual Report 2024/25

He karere nā te Heamana me Te Tumu Whakarae | Message from the Chair and Chief Executive

The 2024/2025 year saw us delivering hugely important work to care for te taiao, deliver efficient public transport services and prepare communities for the long-term effects of climate change and natural hazards through our critical flood management work.

This year, we’ve continued to work hard to deliver value for money for our communities- many of whom are doing it tough. We remain focused on balancing the future we’re collectively striving toward, our statutory responsibilities, the aspirations of our mana whenua partners and our communities, and the financial realities of what our region can reasonably afford.

It’s a complex and fast changing landscape with reform imminent, but our commitment is clear: to make considered, transparent decisions that reflect both the financial challenges of today and keep one eye on our responsibilities to future generations and the opportunities of tomorrow. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, and we remain deeply committed to serving our region, strengthening our relationships with our partners and stakeholders and delivering for te taiao.

Responding to challenge with resilience

This year, we’ve navigated significant uncertainty, including changes to the Resource Management Act 1991 and a $116.6 million shortfall in funding from Waka Kotahi for Metlink’s investment programme – a total shortfall of $134.5 million over the 2024-2027 triennium. These shifts have disrupted previously co-designed outcomes with mana whenua and required us to revise our investment priorities to protect essential services and infrastructure.

Despite these challenges, we’ve continued to deliver on our commitments. Our revised investment programme ensures minimal impact on public transport services and maintains the integrity of our assets for the year ahead.

Delivering on our commitments

We’ve made strong progress across our strategic priorities across partnership, protecting and restoring the environment, taking climate action, and delivering quality public transport services across the rohe.

We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira to explore the development of an electric bus depot at Kenepuru Landing. This partnership reflects our shared aspirations for decarbonisation and environmental stewardship.

A healthy and vibrant te taiao is a critical part of what makes our region so special. Over the course of the year, we planted 320,000 native stems through Recloaking Papatūānuku, completed the Te Horo wetland re-creation, and secured the purchase of Gollan’s Valley Station—uniting East Harbour Regional Park, potentially providing for a huge expansion in recreation and tourism opportunities and protecting the Parangarahu Lakes catchment.

This has also been a banner year for public transport services. Patronage reached record highs, with 2.5 million bus boardings in March and one million journeys on the Airport Express.

Part of our approach to delivering quality public transport is to ensure that everyone can use it. This year, we launched the Accessibility Action Plan 2024, and engaged with diverse communities to ensure our services reflect their needs. 

The Government announced its investment into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which will deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island.

In addition to accessibility and equity, we are also taking climate action by moving towards a low carbon future. Our electric bus fleet now includes 119 vehicles, reducing emissions and improving air quality, and our internationally recognised netBI emissions monitoring tool helps us understand our emissions and take positive actions.

Looking ahead

As we continue to deliver on our commitments, we’re also mindful that there is more change to come. Responding to change is made easier with regional collaboration, and keeping community interests at heart. Greater Wellington has agreed to partner with four other councils to form a new regional water services entity. This collaborative approach will enable greater investment in our three waters infrastructure and deliver better outcomes for our communities and environment.

We remain committed to our climate goals, our partnerships with mana whenua, and our role in shaping a resilient, inclusive, and thriving region.

Our work is guided by the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and we continue to embed mātauranga Māori into our decision-making and delivery.

Acknowledgements

We extend our sincere thanks to our staff, partners, volunteers, and communities. Your dedication and collaboration make our work possible. We also acknowledge the leadership of our Councillors and the support of our regional partners.

At Te Pane Matua Taiao, we believe that we achieve more by bringing people together. When we harness the shared values, aspirations, and strengths of our region, we build something greater than the sum of its parts.

He waka eke noa – All in this together.

Despite the pace of change, funding uncertainties and challenges of the year to come we will continue to strive to live up to our vision:

He rohe taurikura - Nui te ora o te taiao, He hapori kotahi, He manawaroa to āpōpō. An extraordinary region: a thriving environment, connected community and resilient future