‘Spider digger’ plays critical role in $95m growth programme in central Auckland

The giant creature crawling over Ōwairaka/Te Ahi-kā-a-Rakataura/Mt Albert right now is installing a critical watermain as part of our $95 million water network upgrades to support new housing in Mt Roskill.

Project manager Peter Kukulsky says a ‘spider digger’ has been hard at work installing a 26-metre-long watermain into the cliff face of the maunga at an incline of up to 45 degrees.

“This new pipe will carry water from the reservoir at the top of the mountain to an upgraded water network that we’re installing on La Veta Ave.

“It’s a critical component of our wider $95m ‘shovel-ready’ programme that improves water services in Mt Roskill, Wesley and Mt Albert, and adds network capacity to support new housing in these sought-after communities.”

The project includes about 4.2 kilometres of new, larger watermains and new ‘bulk supply points’ that feed water to the local network from larger pipes.

Kukulsky says the spider digger is proving extremely effective on the tricky mountain terrain.

“Thanks to its four legs and a winch system that provides the stability needed to move up and down the slope with ease, the spider digger has been able to carry out much of the heavy lifting.

“This includes excavating the site, removing an abandoned watermain, and installing a new one with twice the capacity into the contour of the extinct volcanic cone.

“The spider digger has made light work of a complex task, enabled us to keep our construction site small in this culturally-significant site and cut the timeframe spent on this critical section of the project by about 50 per cent.”

The pipe’s installation, as well as other new watermains on La Veta Avenue, Richardson Road, and Denny Avenue, are on track for completion in June.

Photo: A crew at work on Denny Avenue following the installation of new pipes

“Once the spider digger and construction zone have been removed, we’ll begin the replanting process, which will involve planting native trees such as karamū, houpara, mānuka, karo, māhoe, and kōwhai. We aim to complete the planting by August.”

Kukulsky says the Ōwairaka and Wesley watermain upgrades will be the last project completed under the shovel-ready programme to enable growth.

“Later this year we’ll be bringing into service the new Akarana Booster Pump Station and Waikōwhai watermain.

“The Ōwairaka and Wesley upgrades will be finished and have water flowing through the pipes in mid 2026.

“We’d like to thank the community for their patience and understanding while we work at pace to build and improve the water network.”

Photo: A crew carrying out excavation works for the new watermains on the corner of Richardson Road.

Work continues in Mt Roskill

Next month crews will be installing new pipelines on May Rd and Memorial Ave in Mt Roskill.

“Traffic management will remain in place and we’ll be maintaining pedestrian access in these areas until the work is complete,” Kukulsky says.