There is an ongoing untreated wastewater discharge from Moa Point. We strongly recommend the public stay out of the water on the South coast of Wellington. Do not collect kai moana.

Wellington Water is responding to a significant incident at the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant which has resulted in untreated wastewater discharging into Tarakena Bay on the south coast.
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About Us / News And Media / News And Media / Results Of Water Sampling Following Incident At Moa Point Treatment Plant

Published 6/02/2026

Results of water sampling following incident at Moa Point treatment plant

Key Points - 7 Feb

  • As expected, we are continuing to see high results from sampling areas close to the short outfall pipe, which was still discharging at the time the samples were taken. 

  • There is no indication from these results that untreated wastewater from Moa Point had reached the inner harbour (Eastbourne, Petone, CBD, Kilbirnie) at the time these samples were taken. We do not believe there is any need to extend the sampling area at this time. 

  • Ōwhiro Bay and Mahanga Bay have returned to low levels of contamination, confirming that the previous results were more likely connected with rain events 

  • We are reporting levels of enterococcus only, as these are the most reliable indicator of recent faecal contamination and correlate best with human health risks. 

  • We want to emphasise that these results are a snapshot, and do not reflect current conditions. Bacterial conditions in seawater can change rapidly depending on tide, wind, rain and other factors. 

  • The warning for south coast beaches includes avoiding water sports such as kayaking, boating, and parasailing. Exposure to wet gear and contaminated sea spray can pose a risk to health. 

For more information on sampling methods visit: https://www.wellingtonwater.co.nz/about-us/news-and-media/news-and-media-2/moa-point-wastewater-treatment-plant 

Results table and map of sampling locations

Key points - 6 Feb

  • These samples were taken on Wednesday 4 February and do not reflect the current conditions. 

  • Three sampling locations returned levels of enterococcus above the guideline for safe swimming. While 15 samples returned results under the Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Health’s threshold levels, this does not mean it is safe to swim and formal public health advice remains to keep out of the water, avoid the beach and do not collect kaimoana. 

  • The results from Hue Te Taka Peninsula are many times over the safe limit.

  • Moa Point is continuing to discharge untreated wastewater. Untreated wastewater poses a high risk to public health.

  • Due to the ongoing issues avoid the coastal area along the south of Wellington until further notice. 

  • Please do not swim, dive, fish, gather kaimoana, walk dogs or access the shoreline until further notice. 

  • A rāhui remains in place between Ōwhiro Bay and Breaker Bay.

Information on water sampling

  • Samples were collected by Eurofins, an independent accredited laboratory, between 4pm and 7pm on Wednesday 4 February. 

  • Sampling results can be influenced by factors including wind, tide, and rainfall. 

  • There is a delay in reporting the results of water samples because the bacteria needs to be given 24 hours to grow in laboratory conditions so it can be counted. The results then need to be finalised to provide the most accurate data. 

  • The results from Wednesday cover 18 sampling sites, from Ōwhiro Bay to Mahanga Bay. More sites will be reported in future updates. 

Enterococci are used by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) to monitor marine water quality because they are the most reliable indicator of recent faecal contamination and correlate best with human health risks (gastroenteritis, ear/skin infections) in saline water. Unlike other indicators, enterococci survive longer in saltwater, are easy to test for, and accurately signal the presence of sewage or animal runoff.  For more information see https://environment.govt.nz/publications/microbiological-water-quality-guidelines-for-marine-and-freshwater-recreational-areas/ 

The trigger levels and corresponding management responses

Trigger level

  • We are not able to draw any conclusions about the level of contamination or environmental impacts of the discharge from one set of samples. We will be conducting daily sampling and reviewing the results over several days to inform our response. 

  • These results were taken before the long outfall pipe was able to be brought back online overnight. 

     

  • We intend to publish daily reports on the water sampling results. 

  • Wellington Water is working closely with Greater Wellington Regional Council and the National Public Health Service to monitor the situation and manage risks to health and public safety. 

Analysis of results

  • Three sites returned elevated levels of enterococcus and faecal coliforms, above the safe swimming limit.

  • While 15 samples returned results under the Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Health’s threshold levels, this does not mean it is safe to swim, and formal public health advice remains to keep out of the water, avoid the beach and do not collect kaimoana. A rāhui remains in place between Ōwhiro Bay and Breaker Bay.

  • The result from Hue Te Taka peninsula, which is very close to the short outfall, is many times over the safe swimming limit and shows where the contaminated water was at that time 

  • The results from Mahanga Bay and Ōwhiro Bay are considered to be outliers and caused by the rainfall earlier in the week, not the discharge from Moa Point. 

  • Members of the public have asked whether the discharge from Moa Point has reached the inner harbour and whether sampling should be done there. The discoloration in the inner harbour this week is very typical of rain and stormwater runoff being discharged by the Hutt River. 

  • We will continue to sample around the eastern bays (Scorching Bay and Mahanga Bay) to confirm that there is no indication of the discharge impacting the inner harbour. 

Results table and map of sampling locations

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Results map of sampling locations

Water sampling temp map 4 Feb

  • There is a rāhui in place on the southern coast from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay. This covers anything the water touches or can touch with the high or low tides. People should not swim, surf, dive, fish, collect kai moana, walk dogs along the shore until further notice.  

  • Our contractors Veolia and volunteers from Wellington Water are conducting multiple clean ups of the shoreline around the outfall pipe and Lyall Bay each day. They are permitted to do this under the rāhui. Members of the public should not interact with debris or waste. 

  • For more information on water testing https://www.lawa.org.nz/learn/factsheets/faecal-indicators   

Public health advice

  • Health NZ advises the public to stay off the beach and avoid all contact with the water of the south coast.  Check LAWA Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) - Wellington Region for information on potentially affected areas. 

  • Do not collect or eat shellfish / kai moana from the affected coastal waters. 

  • In windy conditions, there is a low risk that sea spray containing bugs could cause illness.  It is best to avoid areas close to the area where the sewage is discharging when the wind is blowing spray onto the shore.  The highest risk for illness is from activities such as swimming or surfing in contaminated water. 

  • If you have been exposed to the water and develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, cough, rash, irritation of the ears, nose or throat, seek medical attention and inform the healthcare provider of your possible contact with sewage. Healthline is a free over-the phone health service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 611 116.