Last updated October 2026
The Taranaki Street Wharf jump platform is a purpose-built diving and jumping platform on the Wellington waterfront, near Te Papa in central Wellington. Wellington City Council describes it as built on the historic Taranaki wharf piles and popular for manu and dive bombers, and it has hosted a qualifying round of the Manu World Champs.
Jumping in is only half the story, though: the water quality here is often poor. Greater Wellington Regional Council tests the site every week from November to March, and it has a Poor long-term grade on LAWA, which means the water is often unsuitable for swimming, especially after rain. Check LAWA before you jump.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested weekly Nov–Mar by Greater Wellington. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at Taranaki Street Wharf jump platform
Wednesday 28 OctoberWater quality track record
What the grades mean
Excellent and Good: rarely unsafe for swimming. Fair: usually fine, but avoid swimming after rain. Poor: often unsuitable, especially after rain, so check the latest result first.
Grades use LAWA’s method: the 95th percentile of routine enterococci results over the five summers from 2020/21 to 2024/25, with at least 50 tests (2,180 per 100 mL from 72 tests).
Practical Information
- Location
- Taranaki Street Wharf, Wellington waterfront, near Te Papa and Te Wharewaka o Pōneke
- Distance from Wellington
- In central Wellington, about 1 km from the CBD
- Water
- Wellington Harbour off a wharf, tidal (nearest tide station: Wellington)
- Platform
- Up to about 8 m above the water at low tide
- Water quality
- Poor (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
- Testing
- Weekly from November to March by Greater Wellington Regional Council
- Facilities nearby
- Showers and toilets beside the platform, drinking water and parking within about 60 m, playground within about 300 m
About the Taranaki Street Wharf Jump Platform
The platform gives waterfront jumpers a dedicated, purpose-built place to leap into Wellington Harbour. The structure sits on the old piles of the historic Taranaki wharf, on the stretch of waterfront between Whairepo Lagoon and Te Papa.
A 2016 report put its cost at about $100,000 in 2012, with a top level of about 8 metres above the water at low tide.
The platform has become one of the waterfront’s best-known summer sights. Wellington City Council notes that it is popular for manu and dive bombers, and in January 2024 it hosted the first qualifying round of the Manu World Champs, with parts of the waterfront cordoned off for the event. Water safety advocate Rob Hewitt, the event’s ambassador, said the platform was designed with safety in mind.
Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, the waka house opened on Waitangi Day 2011, stands on the same wharf, and Whairepo Lagoon, with its rowing clubs and eagle rays, is next door. Showers and toilets are right beside the platform, so it is easy to rinse off after a jump.
Swimming and Water Quality at Taranaki Street Wharf
Greater Wellington Regional Council samples the harbour at the dive platform every week from November to March, and the results are published on LAWA. The site has a Poor LAWA long-term grade, based on 72 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Across all 109 tests between December 2019 and March 2025, 71% were suitable for swimming. A Poor grade means the water is often unsuitable for swimming, especially after rain, so check the latest result every time.
The inner harbour here is affected by stormwater. In March 2019 Greater Wellington urged people to stay out of the water between Whairepo Lagoon and the waterfront by Shed 6, including the diving boards, after stormwater testing near Taranaki Wharf found very high levels of faecal coliforms, most likely from illegal connections between sewage and stormwater pipes.
In December 2019 Wellington Water found high levels of enterococci at the dive platform and put up no-swimming signs, and in February 2020 the platform was still testing unsuitable while the lagoon had recovered. Greater Wellington also tests the waterfront by Shed 6 on Queens Wharf, which has a Poor grade as well.
Check the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result on LAWA before you jump, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
Wellington Water has advised rinsing off with clean water after swimming in the inner harbour and taking extra care with cuts and grazes. If you feel unwell after contact with the water, contact your doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Jumping from height carries its own risks. The drop changes with the tide, so check the water below before you go, jump feet first if you are unsure, and only use the platform if you are a confident swimmer in deep water. Watch for other jumpers and for boats on the harbour, and keep children supervised on the wharf.
Getting There and Facilities
The platform is on Taranaki Street Wharf, a short walk from Courtenay Place and the CBD along the waterfront, and close to Te Papa.
Showers and toilets are right beside it, drinking water and parking are within about 60 metres, and the Frank Kitts Park playground is a few minutes away. Oriental Bay beach is a short walk east along the waterfront.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Greater Wellington Regional Council: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result and the long-term grade for Wellington Harbour at the Taranaki Street dive platform.
Wellington City Council: the Manu World Champs qualifying round at the Taranaki jump platform.
Greater Wellington Regional Council: swimming advice for the region, including what to do after heavy rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at the Taranaki Street Wharf jump platform?
Yes, people jump and swim here, and Wellington City Council describes the platform as popular for manu and dive bombers. The water has a Poor long-term grade, so check the latest LAWA result first and stay out for at least 48 hours after rain.
What is the water quality like at the dive platform?
The site has a Poor LAWA long-term grade, based on summers 2020/21 to 2024/25. Of 109 tests between December 2019 and March 2025, 71% were suitable for swimming. Stormwater contamination after rain is the main problem.
When is the water tested?
Greater Wellington Regional Council samples the site weekly from November to March and publishes the results on LAWA.
How high is the Taranaki Street jump platform?
A 2016 report gave its top level as about 8 metres above the water at low tide. The height changes with the tide.
What is manu?
Manu is a style of bomb dive, and Wellington City Council says the platform is popular for it. The platform hosted a qualifying round of the Manu World Champs in 2024.
Are there showers at the jump platform?
Yes. Showers and toilets are right beside the platform, which makes it easy to rinse off after a swim, as Wellington Water recommends for the inner harbour.
Where can I swim nearby with better water quality?
Whairepo Lagoon next door has a Fair LAWA grade, better than the platform’s Poor grade. Oriental Bay beach is also a short walk east along the waterfront. Check LAWA for the latest results at each.
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