• Lead long term asset strategy for sustainable, future ready water services
• Shape major investment planning across a complex metropolitan network
• Influence a new entity from establishment to long term operational maturity
Shape a new water services entity and lead the long-term strategy that will define how Wellington’s communities are served for generations.
A new chapter is starting for water services in Wellington’s metropolitan area. From 1 July 2026, Tiaki Wai will take over responsibility for providing drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services to approximately 433,000 residents across Wellington City, Porirua City, Hutt City, and Upper Hutt City.
As a council-owned water services organisation, oversight will be maintained by a Partners Committee made up of representatives from shareholding councils and mana whenua (Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira). From 1 July, Tiaki Wai will bill customers directly for water services, meaning it can make more prioritised, sustainable investment and borrowing decisions. Councils will also transfer their water assets to Tiaki Wai, giving it the independence, resources, and region-wide perspective to effectively manage and improve water services for current and future communities.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Strategy and Planning Officer (“CSPO”) will play a key role in helping to shape Tiaki Wai through its establishment phase and into long-term operational maturity, ensuring the organisation is set up, resourced, and aligned for future success and delivering to its customers, communities, partners and shareholders.
Based in Wellington, the CSPO will be responsible for the strategic leadership of the water services strategy, asset management and planning functions for Tiaki Wai. This is a pivotal role responsible for shaping long term investment decisions, developing infrastructure strategy, and ensuring the organisation has a clear pathway to meet current and future service expectations.
Leading functions spanning strategic planning, infrastructure strategy, asset management frameworks, investment planning and performance monitoring, the appointee will ensure that long-term planning is robust, evidence-based and aligned with regulatory, environmental and community needs.
The successful candidate will bring significant experience in asset management strategy, long term infrastructure planning, and capital investment management within water services entities. They will have proven experience in leading strategic planning for large-scale asset portfolios in complex, regulated environments with the ability to translate technical insight into strategic direction, and to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders, including regulators, local authorities, iwi/Māori partners, and industry. Given the dynamic nature of this new entity, proven experience in leading large-scale transformation is a must and the appointee will demonstrate a leadership style that is inspirational, collaborative and transparent with proven ability to lead effectively through ambiguity.
For more information or to apply, please contact Hobson Leavy Executive Search: tiakiwai@hobsonleavy.com.
Applications close at 5.00pm Friday 20th March 2026
