New composting loos for Matapōuri

At the time the project was initiated, waterless composting toilets were considered a smart and low-impact solution for the site. This was based on several factors: 

• concerns about water supply constraints, particularly the difficulty of obtaining consent for new bore water takes from the already fully allocated aquifer
• local support from hapū and the community for an environmentally sensitive approach to wastewater management
• cultural and environmental concerns about expanding septic systems close to the estuary and other valued areas
• limited space for installing conventional infrastructure like large water tanks or disposal fields.

As part of our effort to further alleviate the pressure faced by existing facilities during peak times in Matapōuri, new information and technical advice have since become available.

This has helped inform the next steps, including a preferred option to upgrade the Wehiwehi Road toilet block with additional capacity and enhanced environmental performance. This is subject to final budget approval. 

We remain committed to exploring and supporting sustainable sanitation solutions where they are the right fit for site conditions, cultural context, and long-term resilience.

The toilets are designed to be odour-free and have been used successfully for many years in other parts of the world. During normal operation, there is no smell.

The toilets will be regularly maintained by us to ensure they are clean and operating as intended.

The new public toilet is a 3-cubicle system connecting to two tanks. The system is sized to take 28,000 uses a year with a peak daily capacity of 114 visits a day.

Compost will need to be removed from the toilets monthly, to six-monthly, depending on the time of year and how much it is used.

The system is based on a continuous composting process in one large chamber. As the organic material decomposes it will reduce in volume by up to 90%. The system was first developed in the 1930s in Sweden and has been used in Australia for the past 35 years.

The composting process is reliable, convenient and safe and its results are environmentally friendly and ecologically sustainable.

The supplier we are working with to supply the toilet system is Auckland-based WCTNZ® | Waterless Composting Toilets NZ Limited.

Waterless Composting Toilets(PDF, 1MB)

Public Toilet Solutions(PDF, 2MB)

Since 2019, local hapū Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu and Council have been working on a project called Restoring the Mauri of Matapōuri - Stage 1 to address the environmental problems caused by the summer influx of visitors.

A Tourism Infrastructure Grant was successfully applied for to:

• provide new public toilet facilities
• improve solid waste systems and encourage recycling
• update and improve local signage, boardwalks and paths
• make some changes to the carpark and Council reserve areas to increase amenity and improve safety.