Nick Mills: Why have 31,000 Wellingtonians not paid their water bills?

OPINION:

I've got a confession. I'm one of the 31,000 Wellingtonians who haven't paid their first Tiaki Wai water bill.

There you go. I've admitted it. And I'll tell you why.

I've got a $1,200 water bill for a business that hasn't even been open for four months. $1,200, For what? I'm still trying to get to the bottom of it.

I've also got a tenant who's arguing about paying his water bill.

So I've got reasons. I'm not refusing to pay. I'm trying to sort things out.

And I'll tell you something else. I feel guilty. Genuinely guilty. And I'm going to get these bills sorted today.

But here's what really worries me.

31,000 unpaid bills. $21-million outstanding.

That's an entire stadium full of people. Imagine filling Hnry Stadium with Wellingtonians who haven't paid their water bills.

And you know what? I actually thought the number would be higher. I genuinely did.

Because I know how tough things are out there. I know what businesses are going through. I know what households are going through.