Kaikohe water and wastewater upgrades to begin

A major upgrade to Kaikohe’s water and wastewater infrastructure will begin on Monday 4 August, supported by a multi-million dollar investment from the government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF).

The IAF funding will be used to extend Kaikohe’s reticulation system (underground pipes for water and wastewater connections), to upgrade the Taraire Hills Water Treatment Plant, and to enable future housing in the town. These improvements will strengthen the town’s connection to the Matawii Dam and enhance Kaikohe’s water resilience. With existing systems already at capacity, the upgrades will also improve the reliability of the water supply, reduce wastewater overflows, support firefighting capacity, and future-proof the network for growth.

The project is rolling out in stages across three key development sites to limit disruption to Kaikohe – starting in Williams Avenue, then Tawanui Road and Bisset Road. Residents and business owners are being assured that access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times, and any changes will be communicated to them in advance.

From next week, works will run Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm with occasional Saturday works. Night work may be required from time to time when road crossings or driveways are affected.

This phase of the project includes the installation of new sewer and watermain pipelines as well as associated manhole chambers and decommissioning of existing pipelines. The works in Williams Avenue, Tawanui Road and Bisset Road are expected to be completed by November 2025.

The council is contributing $16 million to the upgrades, with the remaining $23 million funded by the government through the IAF. Completion of the entire project is expected by July 2026. You can find more information on the project here.

Early conversations with mana whenua, local organisations, homeowners and residents have helped guide the direction of the project to reflect local values and priorities. These partnerships will continue to play a key role as work progresses to ensure the upgrades deliver long-term benefits for Kaikohe and support a more resilient future for generations to come.

The IAF is managed by National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFF) and supports the delivery of critical infrastructure needed to enable new housing in high-growth areas. The government’s investment in Kaikohe and a similar project in Kawakawa is possible through a co-funding partnership with Far North District Council.

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Below - the location of water infrastructure upgrade works planned in Kaikohe.

Below - the location of wastewater infrastructure upgrade works in Kaikohe.