Story: Sewage, water and waste

Ōkahu Bay

Ōkahu Bay

A sewer pipe is under construction at Ōkahu Bay near Auckland in 1910, in front of the ancestral village of Ngāti Whātua (the buildings on the left). By 1914 the works were operational. Auckland's sewage was discharged into the sea, polluting the tribe’s shellfish beds. Early public works paid little attention to Māori interests. Ngāti Whātua opposed the sewer from when the idea was first mooted in 1905, but their concerns were ignored – and their village was refused connection to the city’s fresh water supply.

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Reference: 7-A2929

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How to cite this page:

Christine Dann, 'Sewage, water and waste - Water pollution', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/24463/okahu-bay (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Christine Dann, published 11 Mar 2010