Thursday 16 March 2023
OIA IRO-367
Name: Charles Finley
Email:
[FYI request #21801 email]
Kia ora Charles,
Official information request for capability of water supplier network.
Thank you for your official information request dated Saturday 11 February 2023,
transferred to us by Wel ington City Council on Thursday 16 February 2023.
We have considered your request in accordance with the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987 and determined that we are able to grant your request
in full.
The information you have requested is enclosed in the Appendix below.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or freephone 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi,
Mark Scott
Team Lead, Communications and Engagement
Appendix
Question: Given the recent Stuff article on the number of high-pressure water leaks in Wel ington –
and the lack of capable suppliers – what efforts are being undertaken by WCC to improve the
capability of the supplier market for these, and other in demand services? Is there any linkage on
these plans with other procurement agencies in the region?
Alternative response
Our work requires specific skill attributes and there is a lack of suitably skilled and experienced staff
in the marketplace.
To address this, we have introduced an Infrastructure Skill Centre Programme which has brought an
additional 28 young workers into the water sector. The programme provides new entrants with the
basic skills needed to kickstart their careers in the sector.
We have introduced new career pathways for our frontline staff and a new remuneration framework
to match staff progression through their careers.
We continue to actively recruit where possible, and we are also leveraging the local subcontractor
market to fill roles we have been unable to recruit. We have also reached out nationwide to attract
further subcontractors to the region.
