A Level economics students research Auckland water infrastructure
Posted on June 26, 2024
Earlier this term, the Macleans College A Level economics students visited the Waitākere Dam to view examples of water infrastructure.
Waitākere Dam is the oldest of the water supply dams in the Waitākere Ranges. Construction commenced in 1906 and was completed in 1910. The dam is made of concrete to a height of 25 metres. With a capacity of 1.76 billion litres of water, the Waitākere Dam and four other dams in the Waitākere Ranges provide around 20% of Auckland’s water supply.
Besides walking along the 114 year old dam, the students were also taken inside the dam to see the additions made to increase its height after initial construction. During this walk, students were told of the environmental initiatives of Watercare including what it does to safe-guard native eels.
This trip was recently followed up with a classroom visit by Rachel Hughes, Watercare’s Communications Officer, who provided an overview of its business structure; its sources of funding and a discussion on how local and central government impact its core business activities.
Watercare is 100% owned by Auckland Council but by law does not provide a dividend to its owner.
The state of New Zealand’s water supply has frequently been in the news over recent years, especially with the demise of the previous government’s Three Waters reform plan. A law change currently before the government will provide Watercare more flexibility when borrowing to fund infrastructure projects.
Rachel Hughes concluded her talk with an overview of the diverse occupations the organisation has from scientists in the field, engineers, tunnellers, financial analysts to Iwi liaison personnel.
