Preschoolers give Moana the TBM a colourful send-off for $64m south Auckland wastewater upgrade

Preschoolers from Māngere East have put their hands on a tunnel boring machine (TBM) they’ve named Moana, which will soon begin tunnelling a new wastewater storage tunnel as part of Watercare’s $64 million Archboyd Wastewater Upgrades.

The programme also includes significant upgrades to the wider wastewater network to support future growth and protect the environment.

The new infrastructure will enable the development of approximately 3000 new homes in the area.

Kidz & Crayonz Early Childhood Centre manager Leanne Van Niekerk says the kids loved the opportunity to name the tunnel-boring machine that will soon be tunnelling a wastewater storage tunnel in their neighbourhood.

“The kids chose the name ‘Moana’ after the Disney character, because of her spirit of exploration – which fits nicely as the TBM’s about to start her journey underground.

“It was such a great experience for us to come out and get a closer look at what’s happening right in our neighbourhood. The kids enjoyed learning about the tunnel boring machine and loved leaving their colourful handprints on it.

Photo: Around 30 local preschoolers left colourful handprints on a tunnel boring machine, Moana.

“For many of them, large-scale construction is something they only ever see on TV – so being able to stand right next to a machine like this was a huge moment. It made everything feel real and sparked so much curiosity.

“On the walk back, their comments ranged from: ‘It wasn’t scary at all’ to: ‘It was so big!’. They were buzzing with excitement.”

The storage tunnel will be built six metres beneath Archboyd Avenue and is one of four major wastewater assets being delivered by Watercare under this programme, along with a new wastewater pump station, a wastewater pipeline and an emergency overflow point.

Watercare project manager Jason Salmon says it will take Moana approximately three weeks to install the storage tunnel, which will be 355mm in diameter and 170 metres long.

“Once completed, the tunnel will be able to hold up to 547,000 litres of wastewater – about a quarter of an Olympic-sized swimming pool – before releasing it to the wastewater pump station currently under construction on the corner of Archboyd Avenue and Kirkella Crescent.

“The new wastewater pump station will have the capacity to pump around 100 litres of wastewater per second into a large gravity main that will feed directly into the Eastern Interceptor at Te Mārua/Boggust Park.

“This is a significant upgrade to the Māngere East wastewater network that will support new housing and protect the environment by reducing wastewater overflows.”

Salmon says crews are currently carrying out groundworks for the new wastewater pump station and installing sections of the 1.2-kilometre wastewater pipeline using a pilot boring machine along Chelburn Crescent.

“Like a TBM, the pilot boring machine simultaneously installs and tunnels a pipeline, significantly reducing the need for open trenching and excavation. Only entry and exit shafts are required to lower and retrieve the machine.

“Although traffic management is required while the shafts are in place, disruption to residents will be minimal, as there is very little surface-level construction between the shafts.

“Where possible, our aim is to use trenchless techniques to minimise disruptions to the community.

“Our goal is to have this programme of work completed by the end of 2027.

“We thank the community for their patience.”