New composting loos for Matapōuri

  • Project typeInfrastructure improvement
  • Project scheduleCompleted in June 2023
  • Contractor nameContractor: Buildsense, System supplier: Waterless Composting Toilets
Image of the new composting toilets at Matapouri.

New waterless, composting toilets are now open at Matapōuri beach, one of Whangārei's most popular beaches.

The new toilets have 2 unisex single cubicles and 1 disabled cubicle and are located on Matapōuri Road, on Matapōuri Hall Society land, beside the tennis courts. The existing public toilets at Wehiwehi Road, beside the beach, also remain open.

If the smart new loos at Matapōuri beach prove successful, their design could be rolled out to serve people caught short elsewhere in our District.

Benefits of new toilets

The high-tech, waterless, self-composting public toilets will help accommodate the thousands of people who visit the iconic beach or pass through the village each day during summer.

The toilet design required less land area, used little water and fitted a number of priorities for the Matapōuri community.

The existing toilets use a lot of water during a very dry time of year and often get overloaded due to the high usage. Their septic tanks have to be emptied and there are often concerns raised about dispersal of the treated wastewater into the ground. Although these toilets will continue to operate, the plan is for more people to use the new ones and lift the pressure off the existing septic toilet systems.

Contractor Buildsense installed the system supplied by Waterless Composting Toilets New Zealand. The new public toilets are funded by a Tourism Infrastructure Grant and are part of a wider project, Restoring the Mauri of Matapōuri, being worked on since 2019 by local hapū, Te Whānau ā Rangiwhakaahu and us.

Location

Matapouri Hall, Matapouri Road, Matapōuri 0173  View Map