Nine To Noon Wellington's Moa Point wastewater treatment plant shut down
Feb 3, 2026
Crystal Gibbons, RNZ reporter on the scene covering Wellington’s Moa Point wastewater plant shutdown. She describes the alarm-triggered discharge, equipment failure and staff evacuation. Listens to plans to restore power, divert flow and resume service. Notes health warnings at Lyle Bay and south coast beaches and how central the plant is to Wellington’s sewage system.
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Moa Point Plant Shutdown And Discharge
- Wellington's Moa Point plant has been shut after an equipment fault flooded several floors and triggered alarms.
- Untreated sewage has been discharged into Tarakina Bay and may continue until power and diversion systems are restored.
Response Priorities And Planned Diversion
- Wellington Water identified an equipment failure and has shut down plant power while evacuating staff.
- Their priority is restoring power, resuming service, and diverting to a long outfall to improve dispersion.
Avoid South Coast Beaches Now
- Avoid Wellington's south coast beaches because public health signs warn people to stay out of the water.
- Wellington Water plans to update around midday and aims to restore power and divert flow to a long outfall pipe.