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

Until further notice, Health New Zealand advises against swimming, surfing or kayaking in the area from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay.

Public health officials strongly advise against gathering shellfish or kaimoana from the south coast area from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay. 

Major weather event - Heavy rainfall for the wider Wellington region until tomorrow night.

Wellington Water crews are continuing to respond to a band of heavy rain causing surface flooding and network impacts across the Wellington and South Wairarapa regions today.

With bad weather expected for the wider Wellington region from this afternoon until tomorrow night, crews are proactively checking hotspots and vulnerable sites, and clearing out stormwater intakes as it is safe to do so.

Crews are working as quickly as they can, but we are asking residents to be patient with us as response times in some locations are impacted by road closures. 

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About Us / News And Media / News And Media / Short Outfall Pipe Discharge From Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant

Published 20/04/2026

Short outfall pipe discharge from Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant

Due to heavy rainfall in the catchment area, the short outfall is currently discharging untreated, unscreened wastewater into Tarakena Bay, and it is likely to be travelling around the coastline.

We will update you when the discharge has stopped. 

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

Public Health information is available here

Editor notes

Wellington Water is owned and fully funded by Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council, and Upper Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and South Wairarapa District Council. All six councils are equal shareholders.

Our councils own the water infrastructure in the region, and they task us to manage the infrastructure and deliver water services to our communities.

Wellington Water is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board and our organisation receive overall leadership and direction from the Wellington Water Committee, which are also responsible for appointing members to the Board.

The Wellington Water Committee is made up of representatives from our council owners and mana whenua.

Media Enquiries

Email address:  Media@wellingtonwater.co.nz

Phone number: 021 302 259