Photography exhibition presents uncommon glimpse into underground world of the Central Interceptor

Most Aucklanders won’t ever step contained in the Central Interceptor, however a brand new images exhibition presents a uncommon glimpse into the huge underground world constructed to assist shield the town’s waterways for generations.

Watercare’s Central Interceptor exhibition takes viewers deep inside the huge infrastructure that runs beneath the town from Point Erin in Herne Bay to the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant by means of the unbelievable imagery of award-winning photographer Simon Runting.

The exhibition is a part of the Auckland Festival of Photography and options 30 large-sized pictures displayed on the hoarding on the challenge’s Point Erin website, in addition to a full on-line gallery.

Runting has documented the complete development part of the 16.2km wastewater tunnel and two hyperlink sewers, which started in 2019.

“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,” he says.

“I hope the photos will provide insight into what was 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 government Jamie Sinclair says the extraordinary images present an insider’s view of an important piece of infrastructure that can serve Auckland for generations to return.

“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.”

The $1.66 billion tunnel will become fully operational in mid-late 2026 and was delivered on time and with an excellent safety record.

“The Central Interceptor project is exactly the kind of essential investment Auckland needs, practical infrastructure that fixes a real problem. This tunnel will reduce overflows into our waterways, improve public health, and make the system more resilient for the long term,” says Auckland mayor Wayne Brown.

“That’s real value for Aucklanders. With my engineering background, I know how complex this kind of job is, but it’s the sort of investment that will pay off for decades.”

The exhibition will run from 29 May to 30 June, and the photograph show may be seen on the Central Interceptor’s Point Erin website at 94 Shelly Beach Road, subsequent to the Point Erin Pools. The full gallery is on the Watercare web site.

About the Central Interceptor

Watercare is investing in long-term infrastructure and planning forward to assist a rising Auckland for generations to return, whereas defending the well being of water, the atmosphere and the communities linked to it.

The Central Interceptor challenge is New Zealand’s largest wastewater challenge, and it’ll finally enhance the well being of the waterways and seashores in central western suburbs by lowering moist climate overflows.

The 16.2 km tunnel from Point Erin in Herne Bay to the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant is now full, in addition to two hyperlink sewers that can seize wastewater flows from Blockhouse Bay, Avondale, Mt Roskill, and Mt Albert.

The southern half of the tunnel has been dwell because the begin of 2025 and as of March 2026, it has saved an estimated 450,000 m3 of mixed wastewater/stormwater from spilling into the atmosphere.

The northern half of the tunnel is because of go dwell in mid-late 2026, and the total environmental advantages of the challenge shall be seen when the related Herne Bay Collector works are completed by the top of 2028.

Wet climate overflows have been a longstanding problem for Auckland’s inner-city suburbs akin to Herne Bay and St Mary’s Bay. That’s as a result of the stormwater and wastewater circulate into the identical community of pipes which had been designed to overflow in moist climate.

Work is underneath approach for the Herne Bay Collector, which shall be a 2.1m-diameter tunnel that runs for about 1.7km and shall be created utilizing a micro tunnel boring machine. It could have seven essential shafts and three intermediate shafts connecting into the community infrastructure that can enhance water high quality within the Waitematā Harbour and surrounding coastal areas.