New wastewater system at Tokanui Village

A new wastewater system and connection has been installed to service homes at the former Tokanui Psychiatric Hospital, south of Te Awamutu.

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), which manages the former hospital on behalf of the Crown, oversaw the upgrade of the wastewater system. 

LINZ Project and Hazard Management Delivery Team Manager Matt Bradley says the old wastewater system, built in the 1950s to service the hospital and homes on the site, was no longer fit for purpose. 

“While the hospital closed in 1998, approximately 50 homes originally built for staff supporting the hospital continue to require these services. 

“We’re pleased to have completed this work to modernise the wastewater services for the residents in Tokanui Village. 

“The previous wastewater system was decommissioned and replaced with two new wastewater pumping stations, new pipeline and watermains. This will benefit not only residents, but the wider community and environment.”

Wastewater from Tokanui is now being pumped through to Te Awamutu wastewater treatment plant.

Mr Bradley says LINZ worked closely with the mana whenua representatives and Waipā District Council throughout the works.  

The site is one of around 900 properties, including former prisons, hospitals, schools and houses, earmarked for future Treaty settlements that LINZ manages and maintains on behalf of the Crown. 

Background information

LINZ took over management of the former Tokanui Psychiatric Hospital in 2016 when the Treaty Settlements Landbank transferred to LINZ from the Ministry of Justice. 

LINZ is responsible for clearing the site, which is part of a Treaty settlement with Maniapoto. 

The property was included in a Deed of Settlement between Maniapoto and the Crown, signed late last year. Under the agreement, once LINZ have cleared the site, Maniapoto will be offered parts of the property in stages and will have up to two years to decide if they wish to purchase each part of the property.