Our Infrastructure Committee provides governance oversight and monitoring of Council’s operational functions and capital programmes for roading, the water network, waste management and minimisation, public amenities and Council properties. Committee meetings are opportunity for elected members to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the operational and capital work programmes that benefit South Wairarapa.  

All of our Council and Committee meetings are livestreamed on YouTube and are open to the public. We know not everyone can tune in, so here’s a quick summary of the key agenda items of the most recent meeting held on 12 February 2026.  

Martinborough’s Huangarua bridge to convert to one-lane  

The Committee made the decision to convert Martinborough’s Huangarua Bridge from two-lanes to one-lane.  

As part of the ongoing programme of works to improve road safety across the district, council officers recommended converting the existing two-lane Huangarua Bridge on Ponatahi Road into a one-lane bridge.   

The budget of $20,000 included in Council’s approved budgets and is subsidised at 51 percent by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency through the Financial Assistance Rate. The safety improvements are expected to: 

• Improve safety for all road users 

• Reduce the risk of crashes, including head on collisions

• Better accommodate wide vehicles, including trucks and farm machinery 

• Increase driver confidence when crossing the bridge 

Find out more about the decision here – swdc.govt.nz/news/martinboroughs-huangarua-bridge-to-convert-to-one-lane/  

Infrastructure and Community Operations Information report  

The Infrastructure and Community Operations Group updated the Committee on the projects that are keeping them busy across our roading network, water services, and community facilities.   

Roading  

South Wairarapa’s roading services are delivered through Ruamahanga Roads which is a shared service between South Wairarapa and Carterton District Councils. A key focus for the team has been implementing the first stage of the recently approved Speed Management Plan, with variable speed limit signs being installed around the district’s schools for the beginning and end of the school day. Another area that has been highlighted with elected members centers around the aged bridge infrastructure which requires significant investment into the future. This is a shared and growing issue across the country with the majority of bridges being built in the 1930s and will be an area of focus for the upcoming triennium, particularly around alternative routes.   

Water  

Council also received a detailed update on the significant amount of change happening across our water services. With Wellington Water winding down in June, SWDC is close to appointing a new temporary water services provider for the 2026/27 year and will continue to drive the capital works programme in house so the Council has more direct oversight of how water projects are delivered. The water capital team reported progress across key projects, including the Tauwharenīkau pipeline renewal and Featherston watermain replacement work which are both nearing completion. Preparations for the Greytown water treatment plant upgrade are also moving ahead, with the tender going out this month and drilling work expected to begin in May.  

Community Operations 

The Community Operations business unit manages a large portfolio of community amenities. They shared an update on the Lake Ferry playground which is well underway and expected to be completed by late March. Accessibility improvements at ANZAC Hall are progressing, and repiling and repair work at the Greytown Town Centre is scheduled for April alongside repainting and general maintenance. Preservation work at the historic Carkeek Observatory is also moving ahead, with a new protective structure being developed to safeguard the site for future generations. Staff also raised concerns about a recent spike in vandalism across parks, playgrounds and even an attempted break in at a water treatment facility, alongside antisocial road behaviour, all of which have financial and operational impacts and may require a wider community conversation.   

Wairarapa-Tararua Water establishment transition  

Elected members were provided with the first of a regular series of updates on the Wairarapa-Tararua water establishment and transition programme.  

This update outlined progress toward the establishment of the Wairarapa-Tararua Water organisation, which will ultimately take over drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services for the three Wairarapa and Taraua districts from July 2027.  

The programme is happening in two stages: 

• Stage 1 (to March 2026): legal setup of the new organisation, including governance structures. This includes the recently established Stakeholder Forum of council and iwi representatives that has been formed and is currently interviewing candidates for the new Board. 

• Stage 2 (April 2026–June 2027): operational transition of staff, assets, systems, and services. Work is underway across six areas – governance, people, finance, digital systems, service delivery, and communications – to prepare the organisation for operation. 

The Committee will receive an update on the programme at each meeting through 2026 along with additional updates at major milestones. 

Water Services Provision for 2026/27 – Interim arrangements 

Wellington Water Ltd (WWL) currently operates the water, wastewater, and stormwater services for South Wairarapa. From July this year, WWL will morph into Tiaki Wai (Metro Water) to serve several Wellington councils, creating a one-year gap and need for a temporary solution for South Wairarapa before the Wairarapa-Tararua water entity is operational from 1 July 2027. 

A preferred provider has been chosen to run our water services during that year, and contract discussions are underway. To mitigate risk while the contract is being finalised, officers have agreed to develop a programme for the early transition of data and systems to the preferred supplier, which is being advanced in parallel with contract discussions.  

Each of the major workstreams associated with the transition (governance, digital systems, operations, etc.) are progressing to make sure everything runs smoothly and our community continues to receive safe, reliable water services. 

You can also watch the full meeting recording on our You Tube channel: Infrastructure Committee – 12 February 2026