Finance Minister Nicola Willis has put the blame on inadequate funding for Wellington's water issues.

Since 2022, 40 percent of the region's drinking water has been lost to leaks.

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has written a letter requesting information from local councils on how they're addressing the problem.

Willis says Wellington City Council only gave Wellington Water a fraction of the $10 million they needed for maintenance.

"They always seemed to find the money for a new cycleway, they always seemed to find the money for the things they like, like buying back Reading Cinema- why can't they find the money for the pipes?"

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