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Supporting our industry for long-term success
Supporting a project starts well before a product arrives on site. From site assessments and free design support to hands-on installer training and industry education, we explore how Watersmart works alongside the people shaping Aotearoa’s built environment.
Giving recycled tyres a new role in New Zealand’s infrastructure
In a recent Tyrewise video, our own Klaudia Matyjas joins industry voices exploring the journey from tyre recovery to practical reuse. Discover how Porous Lane puts recycled tyre rubber to work in permeable paving, connecting more sustainable material choices with better stormwater management.
Water off, business on: a reminder of water resilience
When a water interruption affected Rosebank Road, our rainwater harvesting and treatment system kept the Watersmart Innovation Hub running and helped us lend a hand to a neighbouring café. A practical reminder of the value of planning for the unexpected.
Infrastructure Before Intensification: What Auckland Must Get Right to Enable Growth
Auckland has ambitious plans for housing, intensification and economic growth. But zoning land for development is only part of the equation. The supporting transport, water and wider infrastructure must be planned and delivered at the right time.
We’ve shared five key insights from the Property Council New Zealand’s Enabling Auckland: Infrastructure for Growth event, including what they could mean for the future of water management and resilient urban growth.
Re-cementing our commitment to sustainability through Toitū accreditation
We are pleased to share that we have extended our Toitū certification, reinforcing our dedication to rigorous environmental accountability, reduced operational emissions, and sustainable business practices.
This accreditation validates our commitment to resource conservation and climate resilience - extending from our product development all the way to the end-of-life recycling.
Learn more about Toitū and our commitment to sustainability
Fast-track Development Still Needs Infrastructure Certainty
Fast-track approval may help a development move through consenting sooner, but it does not resolve how the infrastructure needed to service it will be funded or delivered. We look at the Government’s proposed changes and what councils and project teams should establish early to create greater certainty.
Watersmart Contributes to Industry Conversations at the 2026 Stormwater Conference
The 2026 Stormwater Conference brought together councils, engineers, consultants, contractors, and industry leaders from across New Zealand and Australia to tackle one of the sector’s biggest challenges: how we build more resilient communities in the face of increasing climate and infrastructure pressure.
This year, the Watersmart team was proud to contribute not only through our exhibition presence, but also through two technical presentations that explored practical, real-world approaches to stormwater resilience, flood mitigation, and distributed water management.
Porous Lane Case Study: Auckland Transport – Eastern Busway Project
Read more about how Auckland Transport used prous lane to create resilient and future proofing footpaths for the Eastern Busway Project.
Sponge Cities: Building Urban Resilience Without Slowing Growth
Around the world, leading cities are adopting a more integrated approach: designing urban environments to behave like sponges — absorbing, storing, filtering and gradually releasing rainwater rather than immediately channelling it away.
Watersmart Wrapped 2025: Thriving Through Smarter Water Solutions
Explore Watersmart’s 2025 highlights, from award winning stormwater innovation and water recycling to flood protection, smart water monitoring, and community impact across New Zealand.
Building a Home for Sustainable Innovation
Building a Home for Sustainable Innovation
Our new Water Innovation Hub was designed to be much more than a showroom. We wanted it to feel like the home of innovation in Aotearoa, a place where people can see what the future of sustainable construction looks like. That meant showcasing not only our own water solutions, but also the work of other leaders in recycled, low carbon, and circular building products.
Celebrating the opening of our new Water Innovation Hub
Celebrating the grand opening of our Watersmart Innovation Hub
Porous Lane Delivers Sustainable, Low-Impact Surfacing for Te Whare Pora at Auckland Botanic Garden in Manurewa
Te Whare Pora, a significant cultural and community space, required a landscape design that expressed sustainability, honoured local heritage, and created a warm, accessible environment for all visitors.
Early discussions between the designer and Mana Whenua highlighted a preference for natural, non-traditional surfacing materials; something that would complement the whenua and minimise environmental impact. This direction created an opportunity to introduce Porous Lane, a permeable pavement made from up to 60% recycled tyres, as a naturally visual, durable, and low-impact alternative.
New Zealand’s First Porous Lane Residential Parking Bay
New Zealand’s First Porous Lane Parking Bay – Te Atatū
Watersmart has completed New Zealand’s first Porous Lane parking bay in Te Atatū — a milestone in sustainable stormwater design. Installed on a steep residential site, the 55m² Porous Lane Traffic Mix in Grey provides a strong, low-maintenance, and highly permeable surface that blends seamlessly with the existing driveway. The result: improved drainage, reduced runoff, and performance exceeding international permeability standards.
WaterSmart Delivers NZ's First Porous Lane Footpath - Homes Hamilton
Watersmart has delivered New Zealand’s first Porous Lane footpath at the Jack’s Landing subdivision for Golden Homes Hamilton. In partnership with Siteworks Limited, 207m² of this innovative permeable pavement was installed, recycling thousands of tyres while easing pressure on stormwater systems.
Developed by the University of Melbourne and introduced to New Zealand by Watersmart in May 2025, Porous Lane is a durable, sustainable alternative to traditional concrete. The success at Jack’s Landing marks a major milestone for greener urban infrastructure in Aotearoa.
Watersmart Wins Stormwater Innovation Award 2025
Watersmart Wins Prestigious National Innovation Award for Stormwater Solution Porous Lane
NZ Govt Revamps Infrastructure Funding to Boost Housing
The New Zealand government has announced a comprehensive overhaul of infrastructure funding mechanisms to bolster housing development. This initiative, part of the “Going for Housing Growth” strategy, seeks to address critical challenges in land supply, infrastructure, and growth incentives.
Auckland Drought Alert March 2025
Auckland’s Rainfall Brings Temporary Relief, but Drought Concerns Persist
Addressing Infrastructure Challenges in New Zealand
New Zealand’s urban development is increasingly constrained by aging and overburdened infrastructure. Developers often face high costs, shared investment
FloodFree Barriers Protect Auckland's Pump Station
To prevent a repeat of such damage, Watercare sought a reliable and durable flood protection solution. Enter Watersmart, New Zealand’s agent for FloodFree
Tell Us About Your Project
From conceptualising to constructing, we’re ready to design your architectural dream. We promise a client-centric approach that empowers ideas, eases concerns, and delivers quality craftsmanship we’ll all be proud of.
