DIXON ST UPDATE – 12.30PM
We have managed to stop wastewater overflow into the harbour. We managed to successfully configure the network pump stations with the pumps on site, to pump down the storage tanks and are now able to cope with current flow. The system remains limited, and fragile.
Clean-up crews report low levels of visible material at the waterfront; water quality results show high levels of bacteria from Frank Kitts to the Overseas Passenger terminal; low levels at Oriental Bay. The rāhui will remain in place for at least four more days.
Crews are working again worked around the clock, preparing for the overground pipe that will run along Willis St.
We continue to advise people in the district to minimise their water use.
Road closures remain in place – Dixon from Victoria to MacDonald; Willis from Dixon to Vivian; Ghuznee from Victoria to the Terrace, and Vivian overnight (8pm – 8am).
Public response so far has been accepting, but some disgruntlement out there over disruption, the discharge, and impact on daily life. We’re working on ways to step up our engagement, and also looking ahead to the shape of things for the two months or so that the overground solution is in place, while we’re working on the permanent fix.
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
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