A new reservoir on top of Mataruahou will double water storage capcaity for Napier city. Two new nine million-litre reservoirs, plus room for a third, will be built over the next three years, replacing the ageing 9.5 million-litre Enfield Reservoir and boosting resilience for the city’s growing needs alongside water demand management.

The project includes a new booster pump station and upgraded connections to ensure reliable water pressure, improved water quality monitoring, and robust infrastructure able to withstand shocks and stresses.

Other water supply projects – Mataruahou and Taradale Rising and Falling Mains – will progress alongside the construction of Mataruahou Reservoir, to deliver water from the Awatoto and Taradale borefields to the Mataruahou and Taradale reservoirs (respectively), with a pipe connecting the two reservoirs to enable two-way water transfer, ensuring a resilient and reliable water supply.

History of Mataruahou

Mataruahou holds deep cultural and social significance in Napier’s history. Traditionally, Mataruahou was recognised by local Māori as a place of healing; its elevation, natural spring, sea breezes and outlook believed to uplift the spirit and aid recovery.

Mataruahou became part of the 1851 Ahuriri land sale, influenced partly by the promise of a hospital (built in 1860) to serve both Māori and Pākehā communities. Over time, Mataruahou became not only a medical hub but also a symbol of community resilience, adapting to population growth, disease outbreaks and changing healthcare needs.