Work to improve electricity network resilience and increase drinking water services was carried out for the fast-growing eastern suburbs from November 2024 to July 2025.
Waitangirua and Te Ara Kāpehu link roads water and electricity upgrades
Porirua City Council, Wellington Electricity, Wellington Water and Kāinga Ora teamed up to carry out critical infrastructure service upgrades along these link roads. The upgrades were about increasing resilience and supply for local residents and will benefit Porirua as a whole.
Stage one of the link road project involved laying water pipes and electricity cabling along Waitangirua Link Road, which was closed for five months. It reopened with a new higher speed limit of 60km/h as part of Porirua City’s speed management plan.
Stage two also involved laying new water pipes and power cabling along Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road.
If you have any questions, please contact us on [email protected]
Completion of the Link Roads project – 25 July 2025
Work to carry out critical infrastructure service upgrades (drinking water supply and electricity network) for the eastern suburbs and Whitby along the Waitangirua and Te Ara Kāpehu link roads is now complete.
The final commissioning of the water pipes was completed this week with the new bulk watermain now live. Our contractors – JFC have also completed all reinstatement work and are finished up on site.
Council has worked closely with Wellington Electricity, Wellington Water and Kāinga Ora to carry out this work.
What’s next?
The water pipes we have laid will eventually connect to the new, larger water reservoir that will be built by Te Rā Nui at the end of Stemhead Lane. Construction of the reservoir is scheduled to start in late 2025, and it is expected to take around two years to complete.
Stage 1 – Waitangirua Link Road
The first stage of the construction work is complete, with the full closure of Waitangirua Link Road (from Warspite Avenue to the T-junction with Te Ara Kāpehu) for around five months. During the closure, drinking water pipes were laid, along with cabling for electricity network upgrades.
While the road was closed, Council also took the opportunity to remove wilding pine trees, clear vegetation and install signage for the increased speed limit on the Waitangirua Link Road, which was raised to 60km/h as part of the Speed Management Plan for Porirua.
Frequently asked questions
During both closures, drinking water pipes were laid, along with cabling for electricity network upgrades.
The new power cables allow for future capacity increases, anticipating housing growth as this area continues to expand.
The 2.4 km of drinking water pipes will connect to the new, larger reservoir being built at the end of Stemhead Lane.
The reservoir will cater for future demand on Porirua’s drinking water network and improve network resilience by adding a second connection to upper Whitby and providing capacity in case of an emergency. These upgrades also reduce and ultimately remove current reliance on pump stations.
The new reservoir is planned to start construction at the end of 2025 and will be delivered by Te Rā Nui. It will increase the amount of water available from 4.5 million litres to 13.5 million litres.
Why was the Waitangirua Link Road completely closed temporarily? Why not keep one lane open or have traffic management in place?
For the work to be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible, the decision was made to fully close the road from 4 November 2024, so work crews had unimpeded access to the site. If we kept the road partially open, the work would take considerably longer and cost considerably more.
Why wasn’t this work done at the time the link roads were being built as part of Transmission Gully motorway?
At the time of building the Transmission Gully link roads, water and electricity infrastructure wasn’t installed because no one knew either the scale and/or timing of residential development and the new reservoir had not been planned. The eastern parts of Porirua have been growing quickly and the new reservoir is being built in 2025. We are working together with all parties using a ‘dig once’ approach to try and minimise disruption as much as possible.
What other work was done?
Warspite Avenue/Niagara Street intersection
Electricity ducting and water pipes were also laid in the Warspite Avenue/Niagara Street intersection. This was a part of the Waitangirua Link Road works and took about two months to complete.
Navigation Drive/Schooner Drive woks
Two manholes were installed on the grass verge adjacent to the existing pump station on Navigation Drive, Whitby as part of Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road works.
Will the road be resurfaced?
We are currently monitoring the trench reinstatement and surface. We are looking into options for resealing the roads once this monitoring period is over. Estimated resurfacing after November 2025
I have a question, who do I contact?
Email [email protected]
If people are asking the same questions, we'll add them to our FAQs.
I want to be kept up to date as the project progresses. How do I do that?
Email [email protected] and ask to be added to our mailing list.
Previous updates
27 June
Waitangirua and Te Ara Kāpehu Link Roads update
Work to improve electricity networks and water supply for the eastern suburbs is nearing completion. Due to wet weather conditions in May and June we are now aiming to complete this work in July.
Te Ara Kāpehu
Work to lay water pipes and electrical ducting along the work area on Te Ara Kāpehu is almost complete and both lanes are open to traffic.
New water pipes and electrical cabling have been laid along a section of Te Ara Kāpehu. These will eventually connect up to the new reservoir that's being built at the end of Stemhead Lane.
The trench works have been reinstated with chipseal and asphalt. Wet weather has meant that line markings have not been completed, however, a line of cones in the centre of the road with ‘no road marking’ traffic management signage means the lane can still reopen.
Due to issues curing chipseal in winter, a reduced speed limit of 30km/h will be in place for a 50-metre section of the road (close to the t-junction of Waitangirua Link Road and Te Ara Kāpehu) for a up to two weeks. Traffic management will be in place for the duration.
Finishing work
There are some further works in isolated spots on or near Waitangirua Link Road and Te Ara Kāpehu to test and liven the connections, and commission valves and the new watermain, and booster pumps.
Waitangirua and Te Ara Kāpehu Link Roads update
Work to improve electricity networks and water supply for the eastern suburbs is nearing completion. Due to wet weather conditions in May and June we are now aiming to complete this work in July.
Te Ara Kāpehu
Work to lay water pipes and electrical ducting along the work area on Te Ara Kāpehu is almost completed. We are aiming to reopen both lanes of traffic before the end of June.
We are waiting on a suitable weather window to chip seal the trench. Finishing off work will involve hauling electrical cables through the ducts, livening up the water pipes and testing the water.
Waitangirua Link Road
Work to liven up the water connection at the Warspite Avenue end of Waitangirua Link Road is now set to begin mid-June (weather dependent). At the same time, we will also be fine-tuning some of the water valves further up Waitangirua Link Road. Work is expected to take about two weeks to complete with Waitangirua Link Road remaining open with a reduced speed of 30km around the work areas.
Waitangirua Link Road
Work to liven up the water connection at the Warspite Avenue end of Waitangirua Link Road is now set to begin mid-June (weather dependent). At the same time, we will also be fine-tuning some of the water valves further up Waitangirua Link Road. Work is expected to take about two weeks to complete with Waitangirua Link Road remaining open with a reduced speed of 30km around the work areas.
Work to improve electricity networks and water supply for the eastern suburbs is nearing completion. Subject to weather conditions, we are aiming to be finished by the end of June.
Te Ara Kāpehu
Water pipes and electrical ducting have been laid along 340 metres of Te Ara Kāpehu with just another 170 metres to go before we begin reinstatement of the trench and road. Finishing off work will then involve hauling the electrical cables through the ducts, livening up the water pipes and testing the water.
Waitangirua Link Road
Work to liven up the water connection at the Warspite Avenue end of Waitangirua Link Road is set to begin the second week of June. At the same time, we will also be fine-tuning some of the water valves further up Waitangirua Link Road. Work is expected to take about two weeks to complete with Waitangirua Link Road remaining open with a reduced speed of 30km around the work areas.
Stage one of the link road project is complete and the road has reopened with a new higher speed limit of 60km/h as part of Porirua City’s speed management plan
Crews will return in about two months’ time to liven the water connection. This livening up work will happen at the Warspite Avenue end of the Waitangirua Link Road entrance. It will involve a temporary speed limit drop to 30km/h, with both lanes open and traffic management in place for up to two weeks.
Work has also begun on stage two: Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road (one-way lane closure)
Stage two also involves laying new water pipes and power cabling along Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road.
- The lane that enters Whitby from Transmission Gully is closed for approximately two months between the T-junction with Waitangirua Link Road and the Silverbrooke development.
- This means one-way only access out of Whitby on Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road, a 30km/h temporary speed limit is in place. A decision was made to close one lane rather than use stop/go or traffic light traffic management, as it will mean the work can be completed more quickly and will cost less.
- Motorists are advised to allow extra time and use alternative routes.
The water pipes being laid will eventually connect to the new, larger water reservoir that will be built by Te Rā Nui at the end of Stemhead Lane. The reservoir work is planned to start later this year.
Please note: Timing is subject to weather conditions and could change.
17 April
We are currently conducting pressure tests on the new pipes in Waitangirua Link Road, all going well, we are on track to reopen the link road next week, after Easter.
Once the road reopens crews will return in about two months’ time to liven the water connection. This livening up work will happen at the Warspite Avenue end of the Waitangirua Link Road entrance. It will involve a temporary speed limit drop to 30km/h, with both lanes open and traffic management in place for up to two weeks.
Following the reopening of Waitangirua Link Road, we will begin work on stage two.
Stage two: Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road (one-way lane closure starts next week)
We plan to start work on laying new water pipes and power cabling for Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road next week.
- We will be closing the lane that enters Whitby from Transmission Gully for approximately two months. It will be closed between the T-junction with Waitangirua Link Road and the Silverbrooke development.
- This means one-way only access out of Whitby on Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road, a 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place. (A decision was made to close one lane rather than use stop/go or traffic light traffic management, as it will mean the work can be completed more quickly and will cost less.)
- Motorists are advised to allow extra time and use alternative routes.
See the map below for an overview of the work.
The water pipes being laid will eventually connect to the new, larger water reservoir that will be built by Te Rā Nui at the end of Stemhead Lane. The reservoir work is planned to start later this year.
Please note: Timing is subject to weather conditions and could change.
We are now aiming to reopen Waitangirua Link Road after Easter, the week beginning Tuesday 22 April, which will mark completion of the first stage of this project to improve the water and electricity networks for the eastern suburbs. The delay to reopening is due to some issues with ageing water shut-off valves along Warspite Avenue. We have successfully resolved those issues with the valves, allowing us to connect the new water pipes from the Waitangirua Link Road into the existing watermain. However, this has caused a delay to the project.
Following the reopening of Waitangirua Link Road, we will begin work on stage two, which involves closing one lane of Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road (formerly known as the Whitby Link Road) for two months.
Waitangirua Link Road
In brief:
- All the water pipes and electricity ducting have now been laid along Waitangirua Link Road.
- The new water pipes have been connected into the existing watermain on Warspite Avenue and are now being tested.
- Wellington Electricity has completed laying and connecting electrical cables through the new ducting.
- Before the Waitangirua Link Road reopens we will install signage for the increased speed limit of 60km/h.
- A full reseal of this road will be undertaken in approximately 9 months, once the new surface has had time to age and bed in.
- We will be communicating the reopening of this road and the new speed limit ahead of time.
Stage two: Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road (one-way lane closure starts week of Tuesday 22 April)
Beginning the week of Tuesday 22 April, work starts on laying new water pipes and power cabling for Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road:
- We will be closing the lane that enters Whitby from Transmission Gully for approximately two months. It will be closed between the T-junction with Waitangirua Link Road and the Silverbrooke development.
- This means one-way only access out of Whitby on Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road, a 30km temporary speed limit will be in place.
- Motorists will be advised to allow extra time and use alternative routes.
The work at Navigation Drive to install two manholes in the grass verge, adjacent to the existing pump station, has another couple of weeks to go. The traffic management used on site has resulted in very little disruption to traffic flows and access for residents and pedestrians has been maintained at all times.
Beginning the week of Tuesday 22 April, work starts on laying new water pipes and power cabling for Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road:
- We will be closing the lane that enters Whitby from Transmission Gully for approximately two months. It will be closed between the T-junction with Waitangirua Link Road and the Silverbrooke development.
- This means one-way only access out of Whitby on Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road with a 30km/h speed limit in place.
- Motorists will be advised to allow extra time if using Te Ara Kāpehu, and to use alternative routes to enter Whitby.
The water pipes being laid will eventually connect to the new, larger water reservoir that will be built by Te Rā Nui at the end of Stemhead Lane. The reservoir work is planned to start later this year.
Navigation Drive manhole work
The work at Navigation Drive to install two manholes in the grass verge, adjacent to the existing pump station, (which is part of this second stage of work) should be completed by Friday 11 April. We have had a few issues with the connection of the new pipes into the existing ones resulting in some water shutdowns not happening as planned. There will be further notifications of water shutdowns when we connect these pipes. Thank you for your patience as we work through this.
If you have any questions, please contact us on [email protected]
The first stage of this project to improve the water and electricity networks for the eastern suburbs is nearing completion. We are expecting to reopen Waitangirua Link Road the week of Monday 7 April, subject to weather and finishing the final aspects.
Following the reopening of Waitangirua Link Road, we will begin work on stage two, which involves closing one lane of Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road (formerly known as the Whitby Link Road) for two months.
Waitangirua Link Road
In brief:
- All the water pipes and electricity ducting have now been laid along Waitangirua Link Road.
- Wellington Electricity has hauled the electricity cables through the new ducting and is finishing off work on the joints.
- Work at Warspite Avenue is nearly completed with the watermain and ducting drilled across the intersection. Pressure tests, chlorine and bug tests have been undertaken and we expect the connection of the existing pipe to the new pipe to be completed shortly.
- Before the Waitangirua Link Road reopens we will install signage for the increased speed limit of 60km/h, which is being raised as part of our Speed Management Plan.
- A full reseal of this road will be undertaken in approximately 9 months, once the new surface has had time to age and bed in.
- We will be communicating the reopening of this road and the new speed limit ahead of time.
Stage two: Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road (one-way lane closure begins the week of 7 April)
The work at Navigation Drive to install two manholes in the grass verge, adjacent to the existing pump station, has another couple of weeks to go. The traffic management used on site has resulted in very little disruption to traffic flows and access for residents and pedestrians has been maintained at all times.
Beginning the week of Monday 7 April, work starts on laying new water pipes and power cabling for Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road:
- We will be closing the lane that enters Whitby from Transmission Gully for approximately two months. It will be closed between the T-junction with Waitangirua Link Road and the Silverbrooke development.
- This means one-way only access out of Whitby on Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road with a 30km/h speed limit in place.
- Motorists will be advised to allow extra time if using Te Ara Kāpehu, and to use alternative routes to enter Whitby.
The water pipes being laid will eventually connect to the new, larger water reservoir that will be built by Te Rā Nui at the end of Stemhead Lane. The reservoir work is planned to start later this year.
Communication about the lane closure is planned to be rolled out in the lead-up to this stage two work beginning.
If you have any questions, please contact us on [email protected]
From Tuesday 14 January 2025, our contractors have been working across an intersection relating to the Waitangirua Link Road services upgrade work – the Warspite Avenue/Niagara Street intersection. Work will start in late January on another site – the Navigation Drive/Schooner Drive intersection.
Warspite Avenue works
Work started on 14 January to lay the electricity ducting across the intersection and into Niagara Street. We will also be laying the large watermain across the intersection to the connection point for the existing Warspite Ave watermain. This work involves carrying out pressure testing, disinfecting the pipes, and receiving sign-off from Wellington Water and then completing the connection itself.
Temporary reinstatements of the asphalt will be done as work progresses, and our crews will come back at the end to permanently reinstate the road surface. We expect work at this intersection to take about two months.
What to expect at this intersection:
- Stop/go traffic management on Warspite Ave will be operating during weekday working hours. Speed restrictions will also be in place outside of work hours and in the weekends.
- Niagara St will be one way during weekday working hours. People will be able to turn into Niagara Street from Warspite Ave, but not exit onto Warspite Ave. Both lanes will reopen on Niagara St after working hours and during the weekends.
- There will be no planned water shutdowns with this work.
Navigation Drive/Schooner Drive
This work involves the installation of two manholes on the grass verge adjacent to the existing pump station and also starts in late January.
What to expect:
- Approximately one month to complete the work.
- Minimal disruption with shoulder closures – essentially traffic will be free-flowing.
- Following completion there will be short, planned water shutdowns, with residents notified closer to the time. These may occur sometime after completion.
Communication
We have run public notices about this work in the 17 December edition of Kapi-Mana News and in selected January issues. We have also posted on Antenno, our Facebook channel, and website alerts page. Letterbox drops have been completed for affected local residents and businesses and people on our email list have been updated periodically.
Progress on site
Work continues to progress well on the Waitangirua Link Road with trenching, duct and water pipe laying progressing well, along with the basecourse reinstatement work.
From Monday 13 January 2025, our contractors will be working across two intersections relating to the Waitangirua Link Road services upgrade work – the Warspite Avenue/Waitangirua Link Road intersection and the Navigation Drive/Schooner Drive intersection.
Warspite Ave works
Starting on Monday 13 January, work will start to lay the electricity ducting across the intersection and into Niagara St. We will also be laying the large watermain across the intersection to the connection point for the existing Warspite Ave watermain. This work involves carrying out pressure testing, disinfecting the pipes, and receiving sign-off from Wellington Water and then completing the connection itself.
Temporary reinstatements of the asphalt will be done as work progresses, and our crews will come back at the end to permanently reinstate the road surface. We expect work at this intersection to take about two months.
What to expect at this intersection:
- Stop/go traffic management on Warspite Ave will be operating during weekday working hours. Speed restrictions will also be in place outside of work hours and in the weekends.
- Niagara St will be one way during weekday working hours. People will be able to turn into Niagara Street from Warspite Ave, but not exit onto Warspite Ave. Both lanes will reopen on Niagara St after working hours and during the weekends.
- There will be no planned water shutdowns with this work.
Navigation Drive/Schooner Drive
This work involves the installation of two manholes on the grass verge adjacent to the existing pump station and also starts on 13 January.
What to expect:
- Approximately one month to complete the work.
- Minimal disruption with shoulder closures – essentially traffic will be free-flowing.
- Following completion there will be short, planned water shutdowns, with residents notified closer to the time. These may occur sometime after completion.
Communication
We will be running public notices about this work in the 17 December and 14 January editions of Kapi-Mana News. We will also be posting on Antenno, our Facebook channel, and website alerts page. Letterbox drops will be distributed this week to affected local residents and businesses.
Progress on site and work over the holiday period
Work continues to progress well on the Waitangirua Link Road with over 700 metres of trenching, duct and water pipe laying completed, along with the basecourse reinstatement work.
Our team will be working through the Christmas shut down period, only taking a break on the statutory days.
If you have any questions, please contact us on [email protected]
Waitangirua Link Road closed from Monday for up to 5 months
Just a reminder that the Waitangirua Link Road will be closed from this coming Monday, 4 November, for up to five months. This will enable improved drinking water supply and electricity network services for the eastern Porirua suburbs and Whitby.
Porirua City, Wellington Water, Wellington Electricity and Kāinga Ora are working together to upgrade these essential services, with John Fillmore Contracting (JFC) undertaking the work.
We have been trying to make sure as many people as possible know about this work through Kapi Mana News, Facebook, RNZ, Sāmoa Capital Radio, posters, flyers, emails, letters, our Council website and through our Antenno app.
There are also roadside VMS (variable message sign) boards up in key locations to let people know about the work and Google maps will no longer show the route for the duration of the work.
Please feel free to forward this email on to anyone else who needs to know.
A recap on what’s happening
There will be a full closure of Waitangirua Link Road – from Warspite Ave to the T-junction with Te Ara Kāpehu (formerly the Whitby Link Road). The work is expected to take up to five months to complete.
During the closure, drinking water pipes will be laid, along with cabling for electricity network upgrades.
The road will be fully closed so work crews have full access to the site. Keeping the road partially open during the work would take longer and cost more. Once the cabling and pipework is completed, the road will be resurfaced.
People who normally use the road will need to plan their trip in advance and allow extra time to reach their destination.
Once the Waitangirua Link Road work is complete and is back open, there will be a partial (one-lane) closure of part of Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road, also to lay water pipes and power cabling.
The water pipes will connect to the new, larger reservoir to be built at the end of Stemhead Lane.
