Meter readings

One of our meter readers takes an actual reading [hover glossary, anchor link] of your meter every two months. Every other month, your bill is based on an estimate (a calculation) [hover glossary, anchor link] of your current month of water use. This is one of the ways we keep our costs down.

How we calculate the reading
The estimated reading is based on your last two billed actual meter readings. Here’s an example:

The meter is read to create the bills for:

• 30 April: 1539 kL
• 29 June: 1565 kL

Calculate the estimate for 27 July:

• the water use between the last two meter reads: 1565 - 1539 = 26 kL
• the number of days between the last two meter reads: 29 June - 30 April = 60 days
• the average daily use between the two meter reads: 26kL/60 = 0.4333 kL
• the number of days in the estimate period: 27 July - 29 June = 28
• the estimated use, using the formula: 0.4333 x 28 = 12 kL (rounded)

[Average daily use between last 2 actual meter reads] x [days in the estimate period]

A final meter reading is used when a property is sold or legally changes ownership. This ensures that buyers and sellers or different legal entities do not pay for water they have not used. Learn more about moving house

Meters are read Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. We require at least 3 working days’ notice before this reading.

Who requests a final meter reading?

Generally the seller’s solicitor will advise us of the change of ownership, book a final reading and settle the final bill.

However, it is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure we have been informed of the ownership change, as each solicitor will have different agreements with their clients.

Request a final meter reading
Or download the form (PDF)

TIP: If ownership is changing between legal entities only (person to company or trust), you may want to use the date of the last or next bill, which will avoid the charge.

Is there a charge?

There is a charge for readings that are out-of-cycle [glossary]. This covers the reading, generating another invoice and any account change. View charges [anchor link to this charge]

How to calculate your first or final water bill (PDF)

A special meter reading is used when there is a change of tenant at a rented property. This ensures that tenants do not pay for water they have not used. Learn more about moving house

Request a special meter reading [online form] 

Meters are read Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. We require at least 3 days’ notice for a special meter reading.

TIP: If the change of tenancy is a few days before or after the normal reading day, consider using that as the cut-off. It may be less expensive than getting a special reading.

Who requests a special meter reading?
The landlord requests the reading.

Is there a charge?
There is a charge for these readings as they are out-of-cycle [glossary]. This covers the reading, invoice and any account change. View charges [anchor link to this charge]

Note: There is a fee for meter readings that are not within the usual monthly billing cycle. View charges {anchor link to PDF]

Request a special meter reading
Change of tenancy is the main reason for a special reading.

Request a final meter reading
Solicitors or property owners request a final reading when a property ownership changes.

If there are problems with access to your property, you will need to make other arrangements for reading the meter. Find out more [anchor link to this on Water meters/What if …

For information on meter faults and meter testing, go to There is a problem with my meter. {>> Report a fault]

Sometimes our estimate will not be as close as usual to your actual usage for that month – for example, if you have had extra people staying in the house or you have been away for a long time. In such cases you can either wait for the following month’s bill, where it will balance out, or you could read the meter yourself and provide the reading to us.

Learn more: Higher bill than usual

Is there a charge for sending a reading? 

We may charge a fee to create an out-of-cycle bill [hover] at your request. View charges [>anchor link to the actual fee on pdf] 

However, we will waive this fee in the following circumstances:

• if the difference between estimated usage in our bill and actual usage that you subsequently advise to us exceeds 8,000 litres, and

• the estimated usage is more than twice the actual usage when you read the meter yourself, and

• the next actual meter reading date that we would do is more than 10 days from the date that you send us your self-read number.

How to find and read your meter

Email the reading to: info@water.co.nz or phone (09) 442 2222, press 3.