Our origins
In 2016, the Havelock contamination crisis made it clear our district's water supply was vulnerable to pollutants getting into the aquifer from above ground. That realisation led to the Hastings Drinking Water Strategy, a programme of major works which the Waiaroha facility is a critical part of.
Drinking water treatment
Most cities build their water collection and treatment facilities in far-flung suburbs. We have put ours right in the centre of Hastings. That means we can draw water straight from the aquifer under the site, and show and explain the treatment process to our visitors.
Find out more about how Hastings District Council manages water.
Water storage
Waiaroha's two huge black tanks each hold 5 million litres of drinking water. That means we'll have extra clean, safe water on tap when the city needs it, in a drought, or after a quake or flood.
Sustainability
We designed our landscaped outdoor area with sustainability in mind.
Native rain gardens and permeable concrete soak up water to reduce run-off into the stormwater system. Rainwater is re-used to flush our toilets and solar panels help to power our discovery centre.
Investing in our future
We're passionate about sparking curiosity through hands-on learning, science and mātauranga Māori.
Waiaroha is a place where adults and kids can explore together, discuss new ideas and get inspired about the future. Our purpose-built discovery centre supports tamariki and teachers.
Te ao Māori
We celebrate the knowledge and creativity of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga through on-site art and storytelling.
