Diving in Wellington: what you need to know

Brown waves are rolling onto Wellington's south coast beaches after the city's Moa Point treatment plant discharged untreated sewage into the sea this week.

An average of around 70 million litres of untreated wastewater has been pouring into the south coastal sea every day since the incident was discovered at 1am on Wednesday 4th February, 2026, after heavy rain and flooding flooded the building's lower floors and caused a power outage. The untreated waste water has been pouring into Tarakena Bay, with authorities suggesting the 'catastrophic disaster' could take months to fix.

Wellington Water chief executive Pat Dougherty, along with Wellington mayor Andrew Little, have urged people to stay away from the south coast beaches for the foreseeable future, dampening the spirits of divers who were hoping to make the most of the good weather this Waitangi weekend.

Can I still dive in Wellington?

The short answer is - no, not on the south coast.

Wellingtonians are unable to use the south coast beaches for the next few weeks. "Plan not to swim. Don't take your dog onto the beach. Don't let the kids play on the beach. The risks are too high," said Little.

Wellington Council is investigating the incident, and is warning people not to go into the water or collect kai moana (seafood) from the area.

The Department of Conservation (DoC) has also raised concerns that the sewage being pumped into the sea could put several species at risk, and contaminate the nearby Taputeranga Marine Reserve, a local favourite dive site and a crucial area for marine species. 

If you come across sick, injured or dead wildlife, contact DoC or MPI who will advise on next steps.