Moa Point is one of Wellington’s smallest suburbs — a coastal enclave on the south coast between Lyall Bay and Tarakena Bay with only around 21 households. The area takes its name from the moa bones, gizzard stones and evidence of Māori occupation found here 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 — an unavoidable part of its identity.
About Moa Point
| Location | South coast Wellington, between Lyall Bay and Tarakena Bay |
| Character | Very small residential enclave, south-coast exposure |
| Named for | Moa bones and Māori occupation found in the area (19th century) |
| Established | 1926 — H.D. Crawford estate subdivision |
History
Raw sewage was discharged into the inter-tidal zone at Moa Point from 1899 until 1989. A council proposal in the 1980s to continue discharging only milliscreened sewage at Moa Point became a significant public controversy — it was a factor in the defeat of Mayor Ian Lawrence by Jim Belich in the 1986 Wellington City mayoral election. In 1995, Wellington City Council contracted Anglian Water International to build a full wastewater treatment plant at Moa Point at a cost of $149 million. The facility opened officially in September 1998 and now treats sewage from the majority of Wellington City.
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia — Moa Point covers the suburb’s history, naming and wastewater treatment plant.
Wellington Water — Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant has information about the treatment facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Moa Point?
On Wellington’s south coast, between Lyall Bay to the west and Tarakena Bay to the east. It is a very small suburb with around 21 households.
Why is it called Moa Point?
Moa bones, gizzard stones and evidence of Māori occupation were found in the area during the nineteenth century, giving the point — and later the suburb — its name.
When was Moa Point established as a suburb?
In 1926, when the estate of H.D. Crawford sold 39 residential sections as the “Moa Point Estate.”
What is the wastewater treatment plant at Moa Point?
Wellington’s main wastewater treatment facility, opened in September 1998 at a cost of $149 million. It treats sewage from most of Wellington City.
When did raw sewage discharge at Moa Point stop?
In 1989, after nearly 90 years of discharge into the inter-tidal zone from 1899. The treatment plant replaced this with full treatment from 1998.
Is Moa Point close to the airport?
Yes — Wellington Airport is to the northeast, on the Rongotai isthmus.
Is Moa Point a beach suburb?
It is on the south coast, but it is primarily known for the wastewater treatment plant rather than as a recreational beach.
What is Tarakena Bay?
The small bay immediately east of Moa Point, at the southern tip of the Miramar Peninsula.
The Wellington Suburbs hub covers all Wellington suburbs. Lyall Bay is immediately to the west, known for its surf beach and proximity to the airport. Island Bay is the main south coast suburb to the west.
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