Last updated October 2026
Moa Point is one of Wellington’s smallest suburbs, a coastal enclave on the south coast. It takes its name from moa bones, gizzard stones and evidence of Māori occupation found in the nineteenth century. The suburb was formally established in 1926 when the estate of H.D.
Crawford sold 39 sections as the “Moa Point Estate,” described at the time as one of the warmest, sunniest and most sheltered positions in Wellington. Moa Point is also home to Wellington’s main wastewater treatment plant, which forms a significant part of its identity and infrastructure.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 40
- Land area
- 0.26 km² (26 ha)
- Location
- 6.7 km south-east of central Wellington
- Council
- Wellington City Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Strathmore Park, Rongotai, Breaker Bay
- Ward or local board
- Motukairangi/Eastern General Ward (Wellington City Council)
- Nearby landmarks
- Hue te Taka peninsula, Moa Point wastewater treatment plant, Wellington Airport
Schools in Moa Point
There is no school inside the Moa Point boundary, but these schools have enrolment zones that cover some or all of it.
Zoned for Moa Point
Show all 6 zoned schools
Source: Ministry of Education school directory and enrolment zones (CC BY 4.0 and CC BY 3.0 NZ), October 2026. Zones change, so confirm with the school before relying on one.
Bin Day in Moa Point
Wellington City Council sets collection days street by street. Look up your address to get your day and which bins go out.
Find your bin day and what goes in each binSafety and Hazards
Sources: Greater Wellington tsunami evacuation zones; Wellington City District Plan 2024 flood hazard overlays.
Buses from Moa Point
2 bus stops inside the suburb.
Source: Metlink timetable data, CC BY 4.0. Typical weekday daytime frequency.
Weather and Rent at a Glance
Sources: NIWA climate averages 1991-2020 (via Figure.NZ); Tenancy Services rental bond data (MBIE), CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026. City-wide figures.
About Moa Point
Moa Point occupies a narrow strip of land on Wellington’s exposed south coast, immediately east of the airport isthmus.
Moa Point occupies a narrow strip of land on Wellington’s exposed south coast, immediately east of the airport isthmus. The small residential area sits below the treatment plant and overlooks Cook Strait, with the rocky Hue te Taka peninsula extending from the point and becoming an island at high tide.
The suburb’s defining feature remains its wastewater infrastructure. The plant processes sewage from about 180,000 people daily and discharges treated effluent through a 1.8 km marine outfall. A new sludge minimisation facility, named Te Whare Wai Para Nuku, is under construction at the site with expected completion in late 2026.
Recent events have highlighted vulnerabilities in the system. In February 2026 the plant experienced a major failure, leading to untreated discharges and beach warnings along the south coast. Repairs and upgrades continue alongside the new facility.
History
Raw sewage was discharged directly into the intertidal zone at Moa Point from 1899 until 1989.
Raw sewage was discharged directly into the intertidal zone at Moa Point from 1899 until 1989. A 1980s proposal to continue with only milliscreened discharge sparked public controversy and contributed to the defeat of Mayor Ian Lawrence by Jim Belich in the 1986 Wellington City mayoral election. Milliscreening was introduced in 1989 as an interim measure.
In 1995 Wellington City Council contracted Anglian Water International to build a full secondary treatment plant at a cost of $149 million. The facility opened officially in September 1998, replacing direct coastal discharge with treatment and the offshore outfall.
Environment and Wildlife
Hue te Taka peninsula supports native coastal plants and provides nesting habitat for little blue penguins.
Hue te Taka peninsula supports native coastal plants and provides nesting habitat for little blue penguins. Forest & Bird has installed nesting boxes at Moa Point as part of its Places for Penguins project. The area also hosts an animal shelter operated by Wellington City Council since 1968, primarily for impounded dogs but also other animals.
Near Moa Point
Just outside Moa Point, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Show 2 more places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia — Moa Point: Detailed suburb history, demographics, environment and wastewater plant information with primary source citations.
Wellington Water — Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant: Official details on plant operations and capacity.
Wellington City Council — Moa Point Sludge Minimisation Facility: Project updates on the new facility under construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Moa Point?
On Wellington’s south coast, adjacent to the airport.
Why is it called Moa Point?
The name derives from moa bones, gizzard stones and evidence of Māori occupation found in the area during the nineteenth century.
When was Moa Point established as a suburb?
In 1926 when the H.D. Crawford estate sold 39 sections as the Moa Point Estate.
What is the wastewater treatment plant at Moa Point?
Wellington’s main facility, opened in September 1998 at a cost of $149 million. It treats sewage from the majority of the city and discharges via a 1.8 km outfall.
When did raw sewage discharge at Moa Point stop?
Raw discharge ended in 1989 after nearly 90 years; full treatment began with the 1998 plant opening.
Are there any notable natural features?
The Hue te Taka peninsula supports native plants and little blue penguin nesting boxes.
Is there an animal shelter nearby?
Yes, Wellington City Council operates an animal shelter adjacent to Moa Point, established in 1968.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Explore Wellington only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Moa Point is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.