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Kaiwaka’s wastewater treatment plant has been upgraded with innovative New Zealand-developed technology that will better protect local waterways and the Kaipara Harbour during heavy rain, while saving ratepayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The $227,000 project has tripled the plant’s wet-weather wastewater disinfection capacity through the installation of a Supercritical UV (SCUV) treatment system, avoiding an expansion that was expected to cost more than $1 million.
“People expect council to invest wisely in the things that matter, and that includes looking after both our core infrastructure and our environment,” Kaipara District Council Mayor Jonathan Larsen said.
“This upgrade gives the community confidence that this infrastructure can cope under pressure and continue performing when it matters most.”
Larsen said with limited room to expand the site, the plant needed a cost-effective way to manage increased wastewater flows during heavy rain. Instead of pursuing solutions estimated to cost more than $1 million, the council installed a Supercritical UV treatment unit for about $227,000, providing the additional treatment capacity at a fraction of the cost.
“This project shows how innovative thinking can deliver practical benefits for the community while making the most of every dollar invested,” Larsen said.
Developed by New Zealand company NovoLabs, the SCUV system disinfects wastewater using ultraviolet light, helping maintain treatment performance even during high-flow wet weather conditions.
The project commenced in October 2025 and was completed earlier this year.
