Rarotonga water management project brings clean, treated water to the island for the first time

In 2014, GHD started working on a project called Te Mato Vai, which was one of the largest and most important projects ever undertaken in the Cook Islands. Working closely with the first ever tripartite agreement between the Governments of the Cook Islands, New Zealand, and the People’s Republic of China, GHD provided concept design, project management, contract management, communications, and stakeholder engagement services for Te Mato Vai.

The project’s strategic goals were to overhaul the infrastructure that collects and distributes water in Rarotonga. The Cook Island Government’s plan was to establish a new main pipe network, significantly upgrade 10 of the island’s water intake sites and introduce new water treatment and storage facilities to service the whole island. During the commissioning and start-up of the plants GHD conducted over 10,000 water quality and environmental tests to ensure that the people of Rarotonga had the best possible water management at their disposal, and optimised water treatment process at each site.

After a challenging seven years battling mountainous terrain, a tropical climate, and extensive engagement with landholders, GHD not only aided in the modernisation of the existing water network but put in place a set of measures that will ensure that Rarotonga can maintain its new water infrastructure and improve it in the future.

GHD provided advice on setting up To Tatou Vai, a state-owned authority that will manage and maintain the upgraded water system. The project also opened educational and work experience opportunities for Cook Islanders, by seconding local Cook Island engineers, and supporting To Tatou Vai in running the new infrastructure.

The Te Mato Vai project is one of the most important development milestones for the Cook Islands, as it will provide vital benefits for the island’s economy, environment, and the health of its people.

Through its involvement in the Te Mato Vai, GHD has supported the Cook Islands in capacity building for delivering their future infrastructure projects in line with future green infrastructure plans.

For the first time ever, communities living in Rarotonga, as well as the tourists who visit the island, will have access to clean, treated water. The project has also encouraged more responsible water consumption and will hopefully inspire future communities to continue the great work of Te Mato Vai.