By Alexandra Cain
Digital innovation is emerging as a critical enabler of Aotearoa New Zealand’s water sector as it faces mounting pressure from ageing infrastructure, climate resilience demands and urban growth.
Wellington Water has embraced digital innovation, having pioneered a digital twin to modernise the management of its assets and operations. This initiative is an inspiration for councils nationwide to reconcile service delivery with sustainability goals.
The catalyst for Wellington Water’s transformation was the expansion of the Te Mārua Water Treatment Plant, a project designed to bolster capacity for the region’s growing population. The utility saw an opportunity to address the systemic challenge of fragmented data.
‘Historically, information was siloed across teams, making it difficult to track and report project progress and as‑built assets, comply with regulations and secure funding. Our goal with this project was to create a single source of truth,’ explains Asem Zabin, GHD’s Business Group Leader for Asset Management and Data Insights, who led the program.
Using building information modelling (BIM) and geographic information systems (GIS), GHD collaborated with Wellington Water and contractor Fulton Hogan to map the treatment plant’s infrastructure in a dynamic 3D model.
Pipes, valves, and pumps were digitised and tagged with metadata, such as installation dates, materials and maintenance schedules. This digital twin now serves as a living repository, accessible to engineers, contractors and asset teams in real time.
‘Previously, crews might spend days searching for asset records. Now, they click on a component in the model and instantly access manuals, drawings or warranty details,’ says Zabin. The system will assist with reporting to the regulator, Taumata Arowai.
Wellington’s success has sparked interest across New Zealand. In Christchurch and Tauranga, councils are adopting similar strategies to untangle legacy data challenges.
‘The foundation is standardised information management,’ notes Zabin.
For Tauranga City Council, this meant improving information requirements through procurement, deploying 3D laser scanners to map its entire network, and creating a GIS-BIM environment to host its digital assets. Meanwhile, Christchurch City Council is piloting a similar approach on a number of projects.
‘Without data consistency, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) tools can’t function,’ Zabin emphasises.
Tauranga City Council Digital Engineering Lead Juan Martinez notes that building a foundation of structured information management is essential to unlock the full value of water infrastructure assets.
‘With trusted, consistent data at the core, our organisation can now make the most of tools like digital twins. The technology brings assets to life in real time, enabling faster, more informed decisions, sharper operational control and predictive renewal strategies,’ says Martinez.
These efforts are not just about efficiency. With extreme weather events straining infrastructure, digital twins enable councils to simulate flood risks, model pipe capacity under stress and prioritise repairs.
‘It’s about moving from reactive to predictive maintenance,’ says Zabin.
Michael Howden, Digital and Innovation Lead at Stantec, has led a groundbreaking project to develop a digital design factory for wastewater pipeline planning. The initiative is designed to address the problem of wastewater systems hitting capacity limits in growth areas.
‘Traditionally, evaluating options for pipelines, pump stations or treatment plants took months,’ Howden explains. ‘Our platform compiles geospatial layers, including existing infrastructure, land use and cultural sites, into a single interface. Engineers can model routes in real time, factoring in technical feasibility, costs and community impact, including Māori cultural values.’
The platform is programmed with engineering calculations to automate design tasks, such as calculating pipe sizes or pump station requirements.
‘It’s not just faster, it’s more defensible decision-making. Councils can show they’ve considered all options, from avoiding wetlands to minimising disruption to sites of cultural significance. That’s critical for gaining community and regulatory buy-in,’ says Howden.
The future lies in predictive technologies.Stantec’s AI‑driven flood predictor, piloted with a North Island council, integrates rainfall data, topographic and land cover data, and infrastructure maps to forecast flooding down to individual streets.
‘Our AI model can predict flooding as weather events unfold, giving councils near-real-time insights to prioritise closures and evacuations,’ says Howden.
The tool also has the potential to inform long‑term strategies, like managed retreat and relocating at-risk communities, by simulating scenarios for cost-benefit analysis of buyouts versus reinforced flood defences.
Howden notes automation is reshaping engineering roles.
‘Engineers aren’t being replaced; they’re being empowered to focus on high-value decisions. Our digital tools handle the grunt work of data crunching, providing repeatable, robust insights and freeing up time for community engagement and innovation.’
As for the future, Howden’s vision is pragmatic: ‘We’re not just building smarter systems, we’re preparing communities for the future. Every design automation, every flood prediction solution, helps New Zealand adapt as fast as the climate changes.’