Legal Advice

Metro Water Ltd (Metrowater) is a Local Authority Trading Enterprise (LATE).

It is covered by the Companies Act 1993 and apart from the Directors obligations to report to and receive approval from
its shareholders, Auckland City Holdings Ltd and Auckland City Council, is structured, managed and administered like
any other company or trading enterprise.

METRO WATER LTD HAS NO MORE STATUTORY POWERS THAN ANY OTHER COMPANY OR TRADING ENTERPRISE.

Where do I stand legally if I stop paying for wastewater?

It is important to realise you would not be acting against any criminal or by- law.

What am I contravening then?

The so-called Metro Water Ltd Contract published effective 1 July 1997.

Does Metro Water Ltd have the legal right to charge for wastewater?

This will not be resolved until hearings in the High Court commence in September or thereabouts of this year. (Metrowater v Gladwin & Others (CP260/99))

What am I faced with then?

You are faced with a civil matter between you and Metro Water Ltd as you would with any other company or trading enterprise when disputing or challenging an account.

What should I do then?

Deduct the wastewater content from your account and pay only the metered water content.
Enclose with your payment a letter explaining you dispute your wastewater charges as being unreasonably expensive and unfair and that you are not prepared to pay for the wastewater portion of the bill.

In just the second year of trading the Directors Statement of Corporate Intent approved by  Auckland City Council, has set to the Management of Metro Water Ltd a target profit of $7,500,000 to $12,000,000