Published 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.
“This is a significant step in the right direction in our response to the ongoing discharge of untreated water from the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, which began on 4 February,” says Wellington Water’s Chief Operating Officer, Charles Barker.
“The relevant agencies have been able to make this decision today due to daily water sampling along 23 sites on the south coast. Sampling has been carried out in a variety of weather conditions, and during times that both the long and short outfall have been used.
“Unsurprisingly, we saw a spike during the period around heavy rainfall and during the discharge of untreated wastewater from the short outfall, but overall, these results have been within the acceptable bacterial levels for safe swimming near the shore.
“This means we have a good picture of what’s happening and can now confidently revise the public health advice, and people can now visit and swim at most beaches along the south coast,” says Charles.
Since the discharge began, an interagency group including National Public Health, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Wellington City Council and Wellington Water has been monitoring the daily water quality sample results.
However, some caution is still advised. “The sample sites we have been testing have not included areas out in the Cook Strait near the long outfall pipe, so activities further from the shore such as surfing and diving should be conducted at people’s own risk,” says Charles.
The public should also check the advice from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) around gathering of kai moana. MPI recommends not gathering shellfish from densely populated urban areas, areas near pipes or culverts, areas near to where wastewater or stormwater is being discharged, and to wait a few days after heavy rainfall before gathering shellfish.
“Additionally, while Wellington Water has successfully completed work over the weekend aimed at improving the flow of water to the long outfall pipe, there is still a risk that the short outfall pipe may be needed again during heavy rainfall. If this happened, it would mean untreated and unscreened wastewater discharged into Tarakena Bay.”
If the short outfall is used, Wellington Water will alert LAWA immediately, who will continue to provide advice to the public about which beaches are safe to swim at along the south coast. LAWA’s standard advice is to not enter the water during rainfall, or after rain for 48 hours remains.
“The public should always check lawa.org.nz before entering the water to see if it’s safe to swim,” adds Charles.
“Wellington Water understands the frustration and upset that this discharge into the environment has caused for the local community and all Wellingtonians. We thank people for their understanding and patience during this time.”
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.