Rainbow Point water mains renewal
Project overview
New water mains - that's the blue pipes that carry drinking water - are being installed in Rainbow Point to improve the resilience of this essential local infrastructure.
The mains, which are generally located in berms, were originally installed in the early 1970s and are reaching the end of their useful life, so will be replaced to avoid leaks and possible mains breaks.
The project will see approximatley 6km of pipes installed in stages on Mapou Road, Oregon Drive and Haines Grove, Kathleen Place, Charles Crescent, Rainbow Drive, Kowhai Road, Aubrey Crescent and Chad Street, with the most high-profile stage kicking off the project on Lake Terrace, between Mapou Road and the southern entrance to Rainbow Drive.
The project is expected to take about eight months and be completed in June 2027.
| Location: | Rainbow Point Taupō |
| Project status: | In progress |
| Contractor: | Camex Civil |
| Start date: | November 2026 |
| Completion date: | June 2027 |
Project stages and timeframes
This work will be carried out in stages starting in November 2026 and is expected to be finished in June 2027. The work schedule is shown below, but please note timeframes may change due to weather or ground conditions.
Streets | Timeframes |
|---|---|
Lake Terrace | November to 10 December 2026 |
Mapou Road | Late November to mid-December 2026 |
Oregon Drive & Haines Grove | Late November to March 2027 |
Kathleen Place | December to February 2027 |
Charles Crescent | January to March 2027 |
Rainbow Drive | January to June 2027 |
Kowhai Road | February to April 2027 |
Aubrey Crescent | March to April 2027 |
Chad Street | April to June 2027 |
What to expect during installation
The hours of work will be 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday. No work is planned for the weekends, and no work will occur on public holidays, over Christmas (21 December 2026 to 8 January 2027) or during the Taupō Ironman event (1-7 March 2027).
We understand that construction works are noisy and disruptive, and we will do our best to complete works as efficiently as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time as we work on this essential piece of infrastructure.
Roads, traffic management, footpaths and access
- To keep road users safe and ensure our team have a safe work site, traffic management will be in place throughout this project. This will include Stop/Go closures, shoulder and footpath closures, and some roadside parking may also be restricted near our work sites.
- Where footpaths are closed, temporary pedestrian access will be signposted with safety ramps in place. Our staff will be available during daytime working hours to assist pedestrians where required.
- Due to the nature of this work, there may be times where access to driveways is restricted due to the movement of equipment, machinery, and other materials. Our team will do their best to inform you of any potential access restrictions ahead of time to minimise disruption.
- Please follow the signage and directions from traffic management staff and speak to one of our friendly team if you need assistance.
Worksites and excavations
- Directional drilling will be used to install the new mains in most locations, however some open trenching may be used at times, if needed.
- All excavations will be backfilled, fenced off, and secured at the end of each working day.
Water supply and shutdowns
- Water supply to Rainbow Point residents will continue as normal throughout the project.
- A water shutdown will be required to connect the new pipes to the town network. We will contact affected residents closer to the time with more information once details are confirmed.
Stay up-to-date
We’ll share updates as the project takes shape and if there are any changes to timing, access or other information. You can stay up-to-date by:
- Subscribing to our weekly Connect Korero e-newsletter
- Following us on Facebook and Instagram
- Downloading the Antenno app to get council notifications sent directly to your phone.
Questions
If you have any queries throughout this project, please email Camex at hello@camexcivil.co.nz or phone 0800 4 CAMEX. Thanks for your patience and co-operation while work is underway.
