Wellington regional ratepayers are to pay more for better roads, water supply and public transport.

The Greater Wellington Regional Council has just approved an average rates increase of 5.9 percent for the 2018/19 year.

Councillor Ian McKinnon says, unfortunately, rates have to rise in order to meet the regional council’s goals.

"We have the big infrastructure projects, we have got to make sure water supply is right and the quality is right, we have got to make sure that we have a good, flexible, reliable public transport system."