Nick Mills: Why have 31,000 Wellingtonians not paid their water bills?

OPINION:

I've got a confession. I'm one of the 31,000 Wellingtonians who haven't paid their first Tiaki Wai water bill. 

There you go. I've admitted it. And I'll tell you why.

I've got a $1,200 water bill for a business that hasn't even been open for four months. $1,200, For what? I'm still trying to get to the bottom of it. 

I've also got a tenant who's arguing about paying his water bill. 

So I've got reasons. I'm not refusing to pay. I'm trying to sort things out. 

And I'll tell you something else. I feel guilty. Genuinely guilty. And I'm going to get these bills sorted today. 

But here's what really worries me. 

31,000 unpaid bills. $21-million outstanding. 

That's an entire stadium full of people. Imagine filling Hnry Stadium with Wellingtonians who haven't paid their water bills. 

And you know what? I actually thought the number would be higher. I genuinely did. 

Because I know how tough things are out there. I know what businesses are going through. I know what households are going through. 

And suddenly, on top of everything else, along comes another enormous bill. 

Now, some people will be like me, disputing charges. Some will have forgotten. Some will be protesting. 

But how many simply cannot afford to pay? 

That's the question I want answered. 

And here's another extraordinary figure: Of the 163,000 bills issued, nearly one in five remains unpaid. 

And Tiaki Wai tells us that's pretty much what they expected! Well, I'm sorry, but I don't find that particularly reassuring. 

We've got a water company that needs hundreds of millions of dollars to fix our pipes, and already it's chasing $21 million in unpaid bills. 

And apparently only about 50 people have entered hardship arrangements. 

Are we seriously suggesting that only 50 Wellingtonians need help? 

Look, I understand we have to pay for water. I understand our infrastructure is falling apart. 

But there's a difference between needing money and sending people bills they simply cannot understand or afford. 

And I want to know whether this is the beginning of something much bigger.