A photography exhibition in Auckland is providing a glimpse into the Central Interceptor built below the city.
Watercare’s exhibition features the work of photographer Simon Runting who documented the entire construction phase of the 16.2km wastewater tunnel and two link sewers, which began in 2019.
The exhibition is part of the Auckland Festival of Photography and features 30 large images displayed on the hoarding at the project’s Point Erin site, as well as a full online gallery.
“I’ve been shooting the project the whole way through, including the first dawn blessing at the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant before the construction work began. It’s been an absolute privilege to record it all,” said Runting.
“I hope the photos will provide insight into what a massive undertaking the Central Interceptor was for Watercare and the Ghella Abergeldie Joint Venture team as it will never be seen again once it is in operation.”
Watercare chief executive Jamie Sinclair said the photos provided an insider’s view of a vital piece of infrastructure that would serve Auckland for generations.
“This exhibition captures not only this once-in-a-generation tunnel but also the many people behind its successful delivery – spotlighting the scale and engineering as well as the culture and the heart behind it,” he said.
The NZ$1.66bn (€840m) tunnel will become fully operational this year.
The Central Interceptor –New Zealand’s largest wastewater project – is designed to improve the health of waterways and beaches in central western suburbs by reducing wet weather overflows.
The 16.2km tunnel from Point Erin in Herne Bay to the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant is now complete, as well as two link sewers that will capture wastewater flows from Blockhouse Bay, Avondale, Mt Roskill, and Mt Albert.
The southern half of the tunnel has been live since the start of 2025 and as of March 2026, it has saved an estimated 450,000m3 of combined wastewater/stormwater from spilling into the environment.
The northern half of the tunnel is due to go live this year, and the full environmental benefits of the project will be seen when the associated Herne Bay Collector works are finished by the end of 2028.
Work is under way for the Herne Bay Collector, which will be a 1.7km-long, 2.1m-diameter tunnel. It will have seven main shafts and three intermediate shafts connecting into the network infrastructure that will improve water quality in the Waitematā Harbour and surrounding coastal areas.
