The reopening of Bothamley Park on 22 March marked more than just a refreshed public space — it also signalled the completion of a significant piece of core infrastructure.
Beneath the park, more than 3km of ageing wastewater pipes have been replaced with larger, more durable ones. This upgrade is part of work Te Rā Nui – Eastern Porirua Development (a partnership between Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Porirua City Council and Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira) is doing and is designed to protect our waterways and support future housing in eastern Porirua.
All councils in the Wellington region are facing pressure on water infrastructure. The network is ageing, and the scale of work ahead is substantial.
Recent concerns about procurement processes at Wellington Water have understandably raised questions about oversight and value for money. Councils are working together to ensure lessons are learned and public confidence is restored.
In the meantime, projects like this one in Porirua are part of the steady, necessary work to strengthen the system.
While the pipes were being upgraded, we also took the opportunity to improve the park itself — resurfacing walking and cycling tracks, resealing the carpark, and adding native planting.
Further upgrades are coming. Construction will begin this year on a wetland in Cannons Creek Park to improve stormwater quality, and a new reservoir to provide drinking water and emergency supply for eastern Porirua and Whitby.
These projects might not be flashy, but they’re the kind of work that keeps the city functioning and prepares us for the future.
15 Apr 2025
