Sewage spill in Wellington

February 24, 2026

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A major sewage spill from Wellington’s Moa Point treatment plant has shut parts of the city’s south coast after a failure sent about 70 million litres of untreated sewage into the sea each day. A rāhui remains in place at spots including Ōwhiro Bay and Island Bay, and people are still being told to stay out of the water.

Water samples taken on Friday showed a big drop in bacteria, but the ban has not been lifted. Wellington Water says it has finished work on a larger air vent for the outfall pipe, which should improve flow and reduce spills during bad weather.

The closures are hurting local businesses, including Dive Wellington in Island Bay. Owner Dave Drane says his business is down about $25,000 compared with February last year because divers cannot use the Taputeranga Marine Reserve, their main attraction.

Drane wants a more targeted rāhui so areas farther from Moa Point can reopen sooner if tests show they are safe. For now, Wellington Water is still advising people to avoid swimming, diving, and collecting or eating kaimoana along the south coast.

Article written by Shem Banbury - Kiwi Kids News Editor

This article was written using AI as an assistive tool for research, writing, and proofreading.
The te reo Māori version of this article was translated with AI assistance. While care has been taken to keep it accurate, if you spot anything that doesn't read quite right, please let us know

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On the edge of the South Island, a coastal sanctuary has become a safe place for sea birds to nest. Years ago, the area was disturbed by pests, rubbish, and too much foot traffic. To protect the birds, conservation workers cleared litter, fenced off nesting zones, and monitored the beach during breeding season.

The results have been encouraging. More eggs have survived, and several species now return each summer in larger numbers. Visitors are still welcome, but they must stay on marked paths and keep dogs away from protected areas. The sanctuary manager explained that the project works because people and nature are both given space to thrive.

Which is the best summary of the passage?

The beach was closed because too many birds were nesting there. Conservation work has helped protect a coastal sanctuary for nesting sea birds. Visitors are being allowed to walk anywhere if they are careful. Dogs are the main reason more eggs have survived this season.