Hutt City Council has just published its 2025 Pre-Election Report ahead of this year’s local elections in October. While the report is a statutory requirement for the Council’s Chief Executive to produce, it is also a valuable chance to take stock of where we are as a city and where the next Council will need to lead us.
The report outlines both the challenges and opportunities Lower Hutt faces over the coming years. It serves as a reminder that while there is plenty to be proud of, there is also a lot of work ahead.
🏗 A city in transition
The report highlights significant investment already planned, with $2.8 billion allocated for infrastructure through to 2034. A large portion of this funding will go into water and transport, areas that have long needed attention. Work has also begun on Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (RiverLink), a $1.5 billion partnership project that will be the largest ever delivered in our city’s history.
At the same time, preparations are underway for the new regional water entity launching in July 2026 as part of nationwide water reform.
💵 Pressures and tough calls ahead
It is not all smooth sailing. Rising costs and financial pressures mean the incoming Council will need to make some hard decisions about spending priorities. As Chief Executive Jo Miller notes:
“Our costs are rising and there is a need to look carefully at what is being spent and why, and how we can improve our performance in a way that does not add significant costs to ratepayers.”
The report also touches on the bigger picture. Across New Zealand, councils are grappling with questions about the sustainability of local government in its current form. Conversations about amalgamation in the Wellington region are starting to emerge as part of this wider discussion.
🤖 Innovation and new ways of working
One interesting highlight is the Council’s use of generative AI tools, which have saved tens of thousands of staff hours. To make the Pre-Election Report more accessible, Hutt City Council has even released a podcast narrated by an AI version of Jo Miller’s voice. This innovative move is helping to reach more of the community.
📖 Why read the Pre-Election Report?
For anyone living in Lower Hutt, or thinking about standing for Council, it is worth taking a look. The report provides a clear picture of the current state of play, including useful graphs, data, and links to other key documents for a deeper dive.
This is not just a report for political insiders. It is an opportunity for everyone to better understand the challenges, opportunities, and choices facing our city in the years ahead.
📘 Read the report here: https://hutt.city/pre-election-report
🎧 Listen to the AI podcast here: https://hutt.city/pre-election-report
The future of Lower Hutt is being shaped now. Take a few minutes to understand the issues—your voice matters.