28 Sep 2023

Auckland sinkhole could take days to be resolved

From Midday Report, 12:16 pm on 28 September 2023


Watercare is warning it could take several more days to fix a blocked sewer main at the bottom of huge sinkhole in Auckland.

Large volumes of raw sewage have been pumping directly into the Waitematā Harbour since the sewer line collapsed, creating the sinkhole on Monday.

This morning, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei placed a rāhui across the Waitematā Habour due to the deluge of sewage and its environmental impacts. 

Charlotte Cook speaks with Watercare chief of operations Mark Bourne.

A main sewer line collapsed in Auckland, leaving a massive sinkhole 13 metres deep on a private property on St Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Auckland. 27 September 2023.

A main sewer line collapsed in Auckland, leaving a massive sinkhole 13 metres deep on a private property in Parnell, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn