trioxide's experience @ Nui Manga

Serious drain exploring in Wellington

rating: 70.0%
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votes: 4

Nui MangaNui MangaNui Manga

Not for the un-experienced drain explorer.

With the help of Mike, we managed to get into this. As per the new Sydney Cave Clan known.doc entry:
Name: Nui Manga
Other Names: Wai-Mapihi, Aro Stream
Type: Drain
Suburb: Aro Valley
Description: Massive 2-2.1m RCP running under Aro Valley and Te Aro, Wellington. Upgraded as part of the Wellington Bypass
Features: Massive RCP running under Wellington, numerous twists, turns, manhole shafts, small waterfalls.
Access: Manhole in footpath near public toilets on northern side of Aro Rd, at Aro Park, Aro Valley,
Wellington. Manhole is decorated and labeled “Storm Water”. [GPS:-41.295305,174.768196]
Care: NZ is subject to serious flooding.
Wet: Dry – Ankle
Condition: Excellent
History: This drain began it’s life in 1926 when the Aro Stream which flowed down Epuni Street and into Aro Street was confined to a drain. Repeated flooding of the area and Wellington CBD and the upgrade of the Wellington bypass began the upgrade of the tunnel from a oviform brick to 2m RCP .
To Do: Continue past Taranaki St. This should join the new Wellington Stormwater Main which is even bigger. I could not continue due to uncertain weather. Pop more manholes further downstream.
Notes: Nui Manga is Māori for “Big Stream”.
Rating: 7-Very Good
Listed: 2008 Trioxide
Updated: 19/04/2008

  • Covert_one (2 months ago) 
    even though i’m drunk, i still can tell this is one  PRO -FESSION-AL
entry. well done man.
    reply
  • Rob (2 months ago) 
    fucking aye dude – nice to see you managed to get down there despite
the shitty weather \m/
    reply
  • Dirtyfilthy (2 months ago) 
    kick ass
    reply
  • Kerrigan (2 months ago) 
    That’s about five minutes from where I live – this is what the
stream starts off like:
    

    http://flickr.com/photos/36251685@N00/300763143/
    

    There used to be a bridge over it called (somewhat ironically) ‘London
Bridge’. The fish and chip shop in Aro St has pics of it – this big
jerry-rigged timber thing. The stream goes all the way down to the harbour where
they’ve set up this weird artificial wetlands thing in a park.
    

    If you’d gone down Epuni St, just after the shops on the right,
there’s the ruins of a  WWII  hospital in a reserve. It’s mostly
overgrown so I’ve never been able to determine how much has been left.
Can’t seem to find photos of it extant either.
    reply