Water Bore
Wai Ora o Te Hāpua
Te Kaupapa Wai Pū – Water Bore and Community Supply
Access to reliable, safe drinking water has long been a challenge for Te Hāpua. For generations, whānau have relied on rainwater, shallow bores, and shared solutions that have not always been secure or resilient, particularly in the face of climate change.
Muriwhenua Incorporation has been working over several years to change this. The Te Hāpua Water Bore Project is a kaupapa focused on providing a safe, resilient drinking water supply for the hau kāinga, while supporting long term papakāinga and community resilience planning.
He aha te kaupapa? | What is the Water Bore project?
The project has achieved the establishment of Te Hāpua’s first dedicated drinking water production bore for community use. Key components already in place include:
- a drilled and consented production bore
- fencing and secure site infrastructure
- storage tank, solar power supply, and pumping equipment
- required Northland Regional Council consents
Mā wai te wai? | Who is the water for?
The intention of the project is clear and shareholder led to provide free potable drinking water for Te Hāpua hau kāinga and Te Hiku o Te Ika Marae. Water use is focused on residential and community needs, not commercial exploitation. This kaupapa recognises wai as a taonga tuku iho, essential to wellbeing, mana, and tino rangatiratanga.
Te Pūtea – Māori Development Fund support
In December 2025, Muriwhenua Incorporation entered into a Māori Development Fund Investment Agreement with Te Puni Kōkiri to support the commissioning of a water treatment plant at Te Hāpua. This investment supported engagement of a specialist water provider, commissioning of a filtration and treatment system, development of a Water Plan and operational policies and ensuring compliance with national drinking water regulations. The agreement runs through to June 2026, with milestone based reporting and accountability requirements.
He aha te wāhi o te Water Treatment Plant? | Why is treatment needed?
As Muriwhenua Incorporation is now acting as a drinking water provider, it must meet national regulatory requirements.To do this, the project includes:
- installation of a filtration and treatment system
- development of a formal Water Plan
- clear operational, monitoring, and safety processes
Te wā o nāianei | Current status
As at the 2025 AGM reporting period the bore and associated infrastructure are in place and funding has been secured to complete commissioning of the water treatment plant. The water treatment plant is scheduled for completion in May 2026.
While wider papakāinga reticulation is a future project, an interim solution using tank supply allows early access to drinking water for hau kāinga.
A paid role is being established to manage water distribution, allocation, and compliance, ensuring the kaupapa operates as intended.
He hononga ki te papakāinga | Connection to housing and resilience
The water bore is a critical foundation for future papakāinga and housing development, climate change adaptation for Te Hāpua and community resilience during emergencies. Te Hāpua is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, storm surge and flooding and groundwater salinity intrusion. Reliable drinking water is a cornerstone of enabling whānau to remain connected to whenua in a safer, planned way.
He mea nui kia mōhio | What shareholders should know
The water supply is a community kaupapa, not a profit making venture. Muriwhenua Incorporation retains governance and accountability. Use is prioritised for hau kāinga and marae. The project is staged carefully to meet legal, environmental, and tikanga obligations. Further updates will be provided as commissioning progresses.