Source: Radio New Zealand
Some beaches have been off limits for swimming since the Moa Point treatment plant failed on 4 February. Kate Pereyra/RNZ
The government will publicly release the findings of an independent inquiry into the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant “as soon as possible”.
Millions of litres of raw sewage continued to enter the Cook Strait each day following the plant’s catastrophic failure at the start of February.
A rāhui was put in place on the stretch of southern coast from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay, and was lifted a few weeks later.
Minister for Local Government Simon Watts confirmed on Thursay the Crown Review team would be led by the chairperson of the water services authority, Taumata Arowai, Raveen Jaduram.
Raveen Jaduram would lead the Crown Review team. (File photo) RNZ / Dan Cook
He said an infrastructure engineer and two lawyers would assist the investigation.
“Wellingtonians deserve clear answers about what led to the catastrophic failure at Moa Point and the assurance that it will not happen again.
“The review team’s work will provide that certainty by investigating what led to the failure and what must change to prevent it from happening again,” Watts said.
He said the review would target both Wellington City Council and Wellington Water in a parallel process, with an interim report expected to be delivered before July 1 – and the plant’s transfer to new water entity Tiaki Wai.
“My intention is to publicly release the findings as soon as possible while managing any risk of prejudicing the investigation or any enforcement action by Greater Wellington Regional Council or any commercial or legal action or claims,” Watts said.
Recommendations from the final report would be reported to Cabinet.
Wellington mayor Andrew Little informed his council colleagues of the update during Thursday’s council meeting.
He said the government had appointed a “high powered team”.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/government-will-publicly-release-findings-of-inquiry-into-moa-point-wastewater-plant/