Nihotupu 1 watermain upgrade

Project overview

The original Nihotupu 1 watermain was laid around 1905 from cast-iron pipe. Water is pumped from the Titirangi Reservoirs to the Nihotupu Reservoir and supplies approximately 18,000 elevated customers in Laingholm and Titirangi.

Due to the age and condition of the existing Nihotupu 1 watermain it needs to be replaced improve reliability for the future.

We’re nearly finished the current works

Construction across the Titirangi area is largely complete, and we are now in the commissioning phase. This means we are checking that everything works as intended and that water flows correctly through the new pipe before it is fully brought into service.

You may have noticed a significant improvement at the Atkinson Road intersection. Crews are currently completing final touch-ups in this area, including tidy-up works and reinstatement, as we close out this part of the project.

Please refer to the overall site map to show the extent of the entire project.

Update on current works in the area

Boost pump station at Atkinson Road

As part of the final stages of the Nihotupu 1 project, we confirmed the need for a new boost pump station at 86A Atkinson Road, Titirangi to ensure water pressure and flow rates in the area continue to meet the level of service our customers expect. This means the overall programme has been extended.

We will be returning to Atkinson Road to construct the boost pump station, with construction expected to start in May 2026 and take approximately three months.

Our aim is to keep this work largely out of the road and avoid full traffic management where possible. We expect some connection works to occur in August 2026 and will keep the community updated as works progress.

Upcoming night works on Scenic Drive and Kohu Road

We will be carrying out a short period of night works on Scenic Drive and Kohu Road to complete connection works on the Nihotupu 1 watermain. To minimise disruption during the day, water supply to some nearby properties will be temporarily shut off between 11.00pm on Thursday 5 March and 5.00am on Friday 6 March.

Some properties in the surrounding area will be supplied by water tankers during this time, which may result in lower water pressure. Impacted properties will be contacted directly this week and should receive a letter in their letterboxes with further details.

Water supply

Water supply to some nearby properties will be temporarily shut off between 11pm on Thursday, 5 March and 5am on Friday, 6 March.

Properties in the surrounding area will be supplied by water tankers during this time, which may result in lower water pressure. Impacted properties have been contacted directly via a letter drop with further details.

Traffic management and access

• Temporary Stop/Go traffic control will be in place while works are underway

• Access to nearby properties and businesses will be maintained, although there may be short delays.

What to expect during works

You may notice increased noise, vibration, lighting, and the presence of construction crews and equipment during the night. We understand night works can be disruptive and will take all reasonable steps to keep noise and disruption to a minimum.

All works will be carried out in accordance with Auckland Transport approved traffic management plans and relevant noise controls.

Reinstatement works

Following the connection works, reinstatement will take place next week from 11pm on Monday, 9 March through to 5am on Wednesday, 11 March.

These works will focus on reinstating the road surface and surrounding areas. Some temporary traffic management may still be required while this work is completed, but disruption is expected to be less than during the connection works.

There may be a short period of additional connection works required mid-March. We’ll continue to keep the community updated in order to manage access and keep impacts to a minimum.

Upcoming works in Glen Eden – Withers Road, Kashmir Road, and Nandana Drive

While working in the area, we have identified additional sections of the local water network in Glen Eden that need upgrading, including Withers Road, Kashmir Road, and Nandana Drive.

By laying this additional watermain now, we can complete the work more efficiently and avoid the need to return at a later date. These works will take place from Monday, 16 March and take approximately four months, with some remaining connection works also occurring in nearby locations.

Maps for this work will be available shortly.

How will this impact you?

• Working hours will generally be 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 7am to 4pm on Saturdays, including some statutory holidays where required.
• Traffic management will be in place in the form of a stop-go operation during our night shifts.
• Some street parking will need to be temporarily removed near the work site to allow traffic management to be setup as part of the approved traffic management plan.
• Construction will generate some noise and vibration; however, levels will be kept to a minimum and in accordance with Auckland Council and consent requirements.
• Water supply to properties will not be affected during these works.