Papawai Stream flood resilience and stream stabilisation
We’ve strengthened and improved the stream so it can carry more stormwater during heavy rain, reducing the risk of erosion and flooding for nearby properties and infrastructure.
If you have any questions about this work, please contact:
Tiaki Wai, 0800 TIAKI WAI (0800 842 549)
Latest Updates
Unfortunately, we've had to postpone tomorrow's community planting day to celebrate the completion of improvement works at Papawai Stream. This follows a wastewater overflow caused by tree roots blocking a nearby pipe. The issue is unrelated to the work completed by Tiaki Wai on the stream.
Come along to Prince of Wales Park on Saturday 17 October, from 10am to 2pm, as we celebrate the completion of improvement works at Papawai Stream.
We now have consents in place for the Stage 2b of the Papawai Stream erosion mitigation works to proceed. Our contractor, Mills Albert, will establish their work site from 31 August, with construction expected to be completed by mid-October.
Following on from phase 1 works completed in June 2025 to provide protection to the eroding streambanks prior to the network intake, we are undertaking further erosion mitigation works to increase channel capacity and improve flood resilience at Papawai Stream, Mount Cook.
Phase 2 works include construction of an in stream gravel trap to manage sediments from the upper catchment and realignment of a section of the existing bund to improve flood conveyance and restore its intended flood mitigation function.
Crews from Mills Albert, who are completing this work on the ground, have started setting up onsite. Physical works are being undertaken between June - August 2026.
Figure 1. Project sitemap outlining vehicles movements and parking that may be impacted.
Below are key things to note about the impacts during these works:
• Construction works is taking place between June and August 2026.
• Hours of work will be between 7.30 am and 5.30 pm from Monday to Friday. We’ll notify you if any Saturday work is required in the next few months.
• There will be an increase in work vehicles in your neighbourhood, specifically if you’re along Salisbury Terrace and Wright Street.
• There will be noise and some vibration during the works from machinery and rock movement which crews will keep to a minimum.
Key contacts
If you have any concerns or questions while the investigations are being done, please contact Paul Ratcliffe, Construction Manager on 021 315 878.
For all other queries, including to sign up for email updates as this project progress, please email engagement@wellingtonwater.co.nz with ‘Papawai Stream’ in the subject line.
A sneek peak into Phase 2 works
The project is now complete. We have:
- Protected eroding stream banks near the water intake.
- Built a gravel trap to catch sediment coming down the stream.
- Realigned part of the existing flood bund to improve flood protection and increase the stream's capacity.
All Updates
Unfortunately, we've had to postpone tomorrow's community planting day to celebrate the completion of improvement works at Papawai Stream. This follows a wastewater overflow caused by tree roots blocking a nearby pipe. The issue is unrelated to the work completed by Tiaki Wai on the stream.
We're taking a cautious approach to make sure the area can be safely cleaned up before volunteers return.
We're currently planning to hold the planting day next Saturday, 24 October, from 10am-12pm, and will confirm this early next week.
Thanks for your understanding and continued support.
Come along to Prince of Wales Park on Saturday 17 October, from 10am to 2pm, as we celebrate the completion of improvement works at Papawai Stream.
Papawai Stream is one of Wellington's few remaining natural urban streams. It plays an important role in carrying stormwater through the area, but heavier and more frequent rainfall has caused erosion and increased the amount of sediment entering the stormwater network.
The work completed by Tiaki Wai will help reduce erosion, trap sediment before it reaches the network, and improve flood resilience for the Mount Cook community.
To help finish off the project, we've got around 800 plants ready to go in the ground. We'll provide spades, but if you have your own, please bring it along. Sturdy boots are recommended too!
We now have consents in place for the Stage 2b of the Papawai Stream erosion mitigation works to proceed.
Our contractor, Mills Albert, will establish their work site from 31 August, with construction expected to be completed by mid-October.
Stage 2b works will include:
- Realigning approximately 85 metres of the flood mitigation bund
- Removing sediment along approximately 55 metres of the existing waterway and forming a naturalised flood bench between the stream and bund
- Extensive native planting to enhance ecological values in the area
To minimise impacts on the stream environment, most of the works will be undertaken with the stream offline through a temporary bypass arrangement or outside of wetted areas.
As part of the project, we will be undertaking extensive native planting and hope to hold a community planting day in October. Keep an eye out for further details and an invitation to participate.
We’re underway with further erosion mitigation works to increase sediment management, channel capacity and improve flood resilience at Papawai Stream, Mount Cook. This important work follows phase 1 works which were completed in June 2025 to provide protection to the eroding streambanks of the downstream section prior to the network intake.
Crews from Mills Albert onsite, shifting the bund and the new gravel trap.
The current phase 2 works include construction of an in-stream gravel trap to enhance capture of sediment from the upper catchment to reduce sediment build-up impacting channel capacity and the realignment of a section of the existing bund (a flood protection earth embankment). This will improve flood conveyance and restore the bund’s intended flood mitigation function.
Crews from Mills Albert have made a good start with earthworks excavation. While working in the stream bed, crews have been able to successfully bypass the steam to prevent impacts of fish that call the stream home. Over the coming weeks, rock placement and the construction of the bund will be complete.
Minor changes to the alignment of the walking track have been completed to increase public safety closer to the gravel trap’s location. Further works are also in the planning phase, further downstream of the current works.
The gravel trap is currently in the process of being constructed.
If you live in the area, you may notice an increase in work vehicles and some noise during the works from machinery and rock movement. Crews will do their best to keep this to a minimum!
A big thank you to residents for your patience and understanding as we get underway with this critical mahi.
Phase 2 works of the Papawai Stream Erosion Mitigation Project are now underway.
Crews from Mills Albert, who are completing this work on the ground, have started setting up onsite. Further site setup will be underway this week, with some noise expected as part of the rock delivery at the end of the week. Physical works are expected to start from next week Monday 8 June.
Figure 1. Project sitemap outlining vehicles movements and parking that may be impacted.
Below are key things to note about the impacts of these works:
• Construction is expected to take place between June and August 2026.
• Hours of work will be between 7.30 am and 5.30 pm from Monday to Friday. We’ll notify you if any Saturday work is required in the next few months.
• There will be an increase in work vehicles in your neighbourhood, specifically if you’re along Salisbury Terrace and Wright Street.
• There will be noise and some vibration during the works from machinery and rock movement which crews will keep to a minimum.
Once the rock delivery is completed this week, crews will focus on constructing two gravel traps along the stream bed. This will include bulk excavation, bund formation, subgrade preparation, timber pole base lining, and rock placement works.