[5] It is responsible for public transport under the brand Metlink, environmental and flood protection, and the region's water supply.

[7] The Wellington Regional Council was first formed in 1980 from the amalgamation of the functions of the Wellington Regional Planning Authority with those of the Wellington Regional Water Board,[8] before taking its current form with the local government reforms of 1989.

[9] A proposal made in 2013 that nine territorial authorities amalgamate to form a single supercity met substantial local opposition and was abandoned in June 2015.

[10] The governing body of the regional council is made up of 13 councillors, representing six constituencies:[11] In October 2023, the council voted to also establish a Māori constituency for the 2025 local elections.

[12] As of the 2022 local elections the regional councillors are:[13] Labour Green Independent Connecting Wellington The council administers several regional parks.