Meet the incredible Māngere-Ōtāhuhu locals who are not just key players in New Zealand's largest water project but are instrumental in its development and care.
Since 2019, Watercare has been hard at work building Aotearoa New Zealand's largest wastewater tunnel - the Central Interceptor (or ‘CI’).
This ambitious project is set to transform the central city, ensuring cleaner inland waterways and more pristine open spaces for everyone to enjoy.
The CI team have been keeping Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board up to date on the project, and recently introduced them to locals working on the project, Shaye Va, Sustainability Advisor and Lukan Paitai-Tuiatua, Project Engineer.
Board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich shares, “Māngere-Ōtāhuhu is abuzz with activity, especially with two locals playing key roles in New Zealand's largest wastewater tunnel project.
“It’s also great to have Ajesh, a delivery manager, who hails from Fiji, living in our area. Their impactful contributions led to their invitation to our August workshop, where they updated us on their work, shared their journeys, and we are very proud to provide a platform to showcase their remarkable skills and hopefully inspire a new generation of project engineers, delivery managers and sustainability advisors.”
Tongan/Samoan Shaye Va, worked at local Moana Nui-a-kiwa Pool and Leisure Centre, came to Watercare through the Tupu Toa Internship Programme. Her role focuses on ensuring work is done efficiently while minimising waste, maximising recycling to a name a few. She embraces the mantra, "If you can see it, you can be it," as a guiding principle in her efforts.
Lukan, with Samoan and Cook Island Māori roots (Ngāti Porou), attended a local high school. His role is overseeing two of 17 construction sites, focusing on project management and design and says, “my greatest joy at work? connecting with people and building relationships.”
It’s all in a day’s work for our talented community.
L-R: Togiatolu Walter Togiamua (board deputy chair), Ajesh Jeram (delivery manager, MPS), Lukan Paitai-Tuiatua (project engineer) and Shaye Va (sustainability advisor).
Stay up to date
Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest news and events direct to your inbox each month. Or follow us on Facebook.
