Update on response to Whakaraupō and Akaroa Harbour sewage failures

Earlier this year there were several sewage overflows into Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour and Akaroa Harbour which were not authorised.

Due to this, on 20 March 2026, Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) issued Christchurch City Council (CCC) with a formal abatement notice requiring action. 

The notice directed CCC to provide a clear wastewater management plan, showing how systems servicing Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour and Akaroa Harbour will be managed and maintained to prevent future problems, by 1 June 2026.

Updated abatement notice issued

Since issuing the original notice, we have clarified with CCC the specific information required to meet the abatement notice conditions. This ensures, as the region’s environmental regulator, we can be confident this critical wastewater infrastructure is being managed appropriately. 

As a result, the original abatement notice has been updated and reissued. The revised deadline for CCC’s response is now moved to 9 July 2026. 

The purpose of the abatement notice remains unchanged – to ensure wastewater infrastructure in this area is being managed appropriately and in alignment with consenting requirements.

What’s next

Once Environment Canterbury has received CCC’s response, we will assess the information provided against the rules in the Regional Coastal Environment Plan and the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan. 

Based on that assessment, we will then consider whether any further compliance or enforcement actions are required.