Swimming next summer in doubt as Tiaki Wai inherits Moa Point mess
Friday, 20 February 2026
Tiaki Wai’s board chairperson, just 90 working days away from inheriting Wellington’s Moa Point fiasco, is making no promises of south coast swimming next summer – and has a surprising claim about the sewage-spewing plant.
“Moa Point is an operating plant today,” Will Peet said, adding it just wasn’t doing much right now.
Tiaki Wai takes over running Wellington, Hutt Valley and Porirua’s water infrastructure from Wellington Water on July 1 and Peet was speaking after its first board meeting of the year on Thursday.
Asked if he was certain that south coast beaches - closed after the plant’s catastrophic failure would be open again next summer - Peet was cautious.
“I don't think anybody in my position should give you something that says absolute confidence, because that wouldn't be the right thing to do,” he said. “I'll be able to give you more of an update on that in the coming weeks and months.”
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Unlike Wellington Water, Tiaki Wai will own water assets including Moa Point, charge ratepayers directly and be able to borrow more to grapple with Wellington’s water infrastructure crisis.
The cause of the plant’s breakdown on February 4 remains unknown but 60% of the plant was inundated with 80% of the equipment damaged, leading to tens of millions of litres of sewage being discharged off the south coast daily and the immediate closure of the beaches.
Mayor Andrew Little recently confirmed the Wellington City Council, which currently owns the plant operated by Veolia for Wellington Water, was required to hand over the plant to Tiaki Wai on July 1.
A spokesperson from Little’s office said the legislation stipulated the council could not own or operate water services. The Moa Point plant was a water services asset and would be operating as one, even though it was discharging largely untreated sewage into the sea.
Responding to questions about the chances of swimming next summer, the mayor’s office would only say he supported current health advice - to not swim or dive, not to collect kaimoana and not to walk dogs on the beach.
“In windy conditions, there is a low risk that sea spray containing bugs could cause illness,” Wellington Water advice says.
“It is best to avoid areas close to the area where the sewage is discharging when the wind is blowing sea spray onto the shore. In conditions with large wave action and strong wind, as a precaution keep windows closed. The biggest risk to health is from direct contact with the water such as swimming.”
Meanwhile, the severely damaged Moa Point plant continues to be little more than a screening plant to remove biodegradables before discharge into the sea.
A Wellington Water spokesperson confirmed sewage was mostly now cleaned out of the plant and experts were coming from Sydney to help assess the damage.
That was expected to take about a fortnight and the findings would inform insurance. That would be followed by a repair plan.