NZ InfraWatch
Open the live map →
Central Interceptor: Auckland Wastewater Tunnel
Watercare · Auckland
Auckland's 16.2km, 4.5m-diameter wastewater tunnel from Grey Lynn/Point Erin to the Māngere treatment plant, cutting wet-weather overflows into the Waitematā and Manukau harbours by ~80%. Cost ~$1.67b (up from $1.2b). The southern section went live in February 2025; the northern section was commissioned 20 July 2026, making the full tunnel fully operational.
Data current as at 13 Jun 2026, when the pipeline was last checked against its source.
Key facts
- Region
- Auckland
- Sector
- Water
- Status
- Complete
- Estimated value
- $1.7b
- Indicative completion
- 2026
- Funding status
- Fully Funded
- Lead organisation
- Watercare
- Election risk
- Safe
Election risk assessment
Critical utility infrastructure, fully funded by Watercare and now complete.
Government priority alignment
HIGH: Critical three-waters infrastructure reducing harbour overflows.
Chronology
- 2019Main construction begins
- 2025Southern section commissioned; 16.2km tunnel breakthrough
- 2026Northern section commissioned (20 July); full 16.2km tunnel fully operational
Source
Watercare: Central Interceptor ↗ · Watercare: Central Interceptor fully live (20 Jul 2026) ↗ · Watercare: Central Interceptor project budget increase (Dec 2023) ↗