Untreated, unscreened wastewater has been discharged into Tarakena Bay. Check LAWA.org.nz before visiting beaches.
Untreated, unscreened wastewater has been discharged into Tarakena Bay. Check LAWA.org.nz before visiting beaches.

Between approximately 8 am on 25 June and 7 am on 26 June, the short outfall pipe discharged untreated wastewater into Tarakena Bay.

Signs are in place along the coastline to alert water users of areas which may be impacted by this event. Water quality samples will be collected from coastal locations once improved weather conditions allow. 

Check LAWA.org.nz before visiting beaches along the south coast. 

Public health information can be found on Health NZ's website. 
Wellington Water crews responding to wastewater overflow on State Highway 2
Wellington Water crews responding to wastewater overflow on State Highway 2

Our team is responding to a wastewater overflow on State Highway 2 which has stopped this afternoon. The overflow was from a manhole on the southbound lanes close to the Ngauranga exit, discharging into the habour through the stormwater drains.

While the overflow has stopped, our teams are working to clear a blockage which still remains. They are working at pace to identify the blockage and get this cleared. 

One southbound lane clasure remains in place approaching Ngauranga while work is underway.
Silverstream Wastewater Overflow
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About Us / News And Media / News And Media

News and media

Keep up to date with the latest news from Wellington Water and our mahi here.

 

For media queries contact 021 302 259 or email media@wellingtonwater.co.nz. 

12/03/2026
Wellington Water welcomes next steps in Moa Point Crown Review
Wellington Water welcomes today’s announcement by the Minister of Local Government on the panel members and terms of reference for the Crown Review into the incident at the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.

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6/03/2026
Wellington Water monitoring fluoride levels in network
The Te Mārua, Gear Island, and Wainuiomata Water Treatment Plants went temporarily offline for five hours today as a precaution after discolouration in a fluoride treatment chemical was identified.

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25/02/2026
Public can return to beaches along the south coast
Today, the public health advice on the beaches and water on Wellington’s south coast has changed. People can now go on the beaches and swim near the shore in the area from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay. This excludes Tarakena Bay which remains a no-go area due to its proximity to the short outfall pipe.

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19/02/2026
Wellington Water Board appoints new Chair

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17/02/2026
Moa Point Public Health advice

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16/02/2026
Boil Water Notice issued to Pirinoa
Wellington Water advises that all drinking water in Pirinoa must be boiled before use, including for drinking, preparing food, making baby formula, or brushing teeth.

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15/02/2026
Wellington Water Board Chair steps down

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12/02/2026
Moa Point inquiry

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7/02/2026
Moa Point Discharge FAQs
All your FAQs about the Moa Point discharge

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6/02/2026
Results of water sampling following incident at Moa Point treatment plant
Results of water sampling following incident at Moa Point treatment plant

Wellington Water has released the results of water sampling following the fault at Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.

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