Flooding reduction in Morningside

Published on 12 February 2025

Flooding in low-lying parts of Morningside, including Kaka Street, Porowini Avenue and the sports fields, is expected to be significantly reduced through major infrastructure work planned over the coming years.

The first stage is a $3.5 million project (including $3 million from the Crown Infrastructure Fund) that will use pumps to lower the water level upstream of the Rawhiti Street footbridge, allowing for faster discharge into Limeburners (Hāhā) Creek.

Morningside flood relief project

Two large pumps will move water from the wetlands into a channel leading to Limeburners (Hāhā) Creek. 

Future stages will follow, including the installation of a 1.5m diameter buried pipeline running from the wetland across the Pipe Band carpark, the football fields, and onto Morningside Road near the Raewyn Street intersection.

In later years, the second stage will extend this pipeline along Morningside Road, past Raewyn Street and Morningside School.

In the third stage, another pipeline will be constructed along Rawhiti Street, connecting to the Morningside Road network.

Additionally, catchpits will be installed to collect stormwater from the pipe network and direct it into the wetland storage area and pumps.

While flooding on Kaka Street cannot be entirely eliminated – since its lowest point is 0.5m below the high-tide level – the completed project is expected to significantly reduce both the frequency and severity of flooding. 

It will also largely prevent flooding of private properties, the sports field and Morningside School.

Footbridge closure for six months 

To facilitate this work, the footbridge across the wetlands between Rawhiti Street (near the soccer fields) and Porowini Avenue will be closed for the next six months. The designated detour to Porowini Avenue is via Morningside Road and Kaka Street.

Morningside’s terrain consists of high hills, several streams, and a low-lying area around Kaka Street that is below sea level in some places. When a storm coincides with an incoming or high tide, flooding in this area can be particularly severe.

Project Manager Felix Richter stated that the overall programme of work is extensive and will be completed in multiple phases over several years.

“The good news is that this project will help reduce flooding, and the footbridge over the wetlands will reopen in six months,” he said.