But the Christchurch City Council has refused to provide sewage flow data for the near quarter-of-a-century old Selwyn-Christchurch pipeline, despite evidence contained in email messages showing it has it.

Selwyn Water is also concerned “unauthorised discharges [will be made] to the environment”, and for the “potential for overflows, with associated public health and environmental risk.”

It rates this as possible and the risk as “Significant”.

Sewage is piped along a 17,677 meter-long pipeline from Tai Tapu and properties next to State Highway 75 and Tai Tapu Road to Halswell. It ends up going to the Bromley sewage plant.

Valued in January this year at nearly $10.3 million, the pipeline had 275 connections. But Selwyn Water might not have included “illegal cross-connections”.

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Source: Corde.nz

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The pipeline runs roughly from Tai Tapu north to Halswell, ending near the corner of Sabys and Quaifes Roads. The scheme connects to several lifestyle blocks in Selwyn.

Source: Selwyn District Council website. All other photos: Selwyn Water.

Between By the end of September 2024, the Selwyn District Council had piped 706,246 liters to the Bromley sewage plant.

Valued at close to $10.8 million, the Tai Tapu Wastewater Scheme permits Selwyn to pipe up to 90,000 liters of “raw sewage” a year to Christchurch.

In 2011, when the Selwyn District pushed to develop its “East Selwyn Sewerage Scheme”.

According to a SDC “Technical Report”, the Selwyn District intended to leave Tai Tapu outside of the expanded sewage network planned for Rolleston, Lincoln, Prebbleton, Springston and West Melton.

Cost might have been a factor.

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But a Christchurch City Council document shows Corde did just that and delivered dewatering sludge. Corde made two deliveries to Bromley at 8am on 17 and 23 January 2024.

In its 2018 report, Waste Management Institute NZ (WasteMINZ) stated “ammoniacal nitrogen, and the organic constituents” are leachate’s “main” ingredients in leachate.

The report can be obtained through the Otago Regional Council website.

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On 27 August, the council admitted trade waste makes up approximately 10% of all waste going into Bromley each day and that the plant has received it from outside the city boundaries.

In March, regulator Environment Canterbury CAN issued an abatement notice on the council after it received thousands of odour complaints. It ceased enforcement action at a later time.

The council hasn’t conclusively explained the cause or causes of the crisis or provided evidence.

An August 2024 Jacobs Engineering report showed faecal coliforms and enterococci entering the sewerage ponds were about 754 and 153 times above consented levels when averaged between September 2022 to July 2024).

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The New Zealand Reporter understands trucks are lining up to bring waste from outside the city to the plant.

The council says trade waste accounts for approximately “10% or 15000m3 of daily Christchurch Wastewater Plant treatment” and that this business has operating for “many years.”

As Selwyn District Council’s contribution to the plant, it said “current volumes equate to about 0.1% of the total daily volumes through [Bromley].”

Despite playing down Selwyn’s impact, the Christchurch City Council has admitted it doesn’t know the origins of any waste going to the plant.

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Just over two weeks into his jail sentence, he was paroled.

In the middle of the night months later, Rimmer and an associate were riding along a Christchurch thoroughfare.

Incognito the associate attempted to steal a car. Rimmer was the lookout.

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ECAN and the Christchurch City Council have yet to state whether the deliveries contributed to the odour spike. The council doesn’t know where the waste came from. Leech Drainage Services have been asked for comment.

This article tracks the deliveries and-from a bird’s eye view- the complaints and the growing apparent geography of the odour crisis of January and February this year.

On 3 January 2026, ECAN received a Smelt-it notification. The odour was described as “Faecal, Sickening, Sewer odour.” By 8 January, 5 more complaints surfaced.

“Can only smell inside house when windows open, way worse outside, it’s hot so now can’t open windows.”

On 12 January, Leech Drainage made two trips to start the year, hauling in 12,300 liters of “Septage” waste.

On 13 January, a complainant wrote “Smells very toxic Has been prominent all day - unable to walk around in this environment.”

Between 16 and 26 January, Leech Drainage delivered 41,000 liters of waste.

Leech Drainage Services Limited waste deliveries Bromley between January and February 2026. Source: The Christchurch City Council

On 26 January, one complainant wrote, “Horrific smell. Smells like burning wastewater treatment plant for about days now. Whole area smells. Waking in the night gagging unable to sleep…”

The number of complaints had surged.

On 27 January, a complainant wrote, “The stench is causing me and how many others not to sleep and nausea. I thought this problem was fixed. It’s discusting and not acceptable. It’s 1.00 am and now I can’t sleep It’s making me sick. Do something.”

At 10:40 that morning a Christchurch City Council worker noted a caller said, “it smells exactly like the odour when you drive past the Bromley wastewater plant (but not as strong), a ‘chemical poo smell’.”

One local filed a formal complaint-

“…I’m writing to formally raise a complaint about another significant odour event this evening and to ask for clear follow-up from both Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury. I have already logged this through the Smelt It app. I’m also emailing because these events are happening too often and across too wide an area for people to keep being referred back to a website or an app with no real answers.”

“I attended the recent community meeting about the wastewater treatment plant and the rebuild, so I’m aware of the work that’s underway and the information Council has shared to date. Despite that, the smell is still being experienced across multiple suburbs, and it feels like it’s getting worse rather than better. Where I first noticed it: Cuthberts Road, Bromley. Where it lingered: Tabart Street area, Woolston. The smell was extremely strong in Bromley and was still lingering when I got home, which shows how far it’s travelling.”

“Since then, people have been posting across community pages from South Brighton, New Brighton, Woolston and out to Brighton saying they can smell it too. I understand that hydrogen sulphide is being monitored and that not all odour compounds are captured by current equipment. I also understand that long-term infrastructure is still being built. What’s missing for residents is clarity about what’s happening now when these events occur. This is affecting people in their homes and their daily lives. We’re not just looking to log data — we’re looking for meaningful action and honest communication.”

On 28 January, Leech Drainage delivered 11,600 liters of waste.

By this day, the odour appears to have spread Gloucester and Montreal Streets in central Christchurch.

One local complained of a “Toxic odour” that “needs to be sorted with extreme urgency.”

At 7:40 am a complainant wrote, “Request for clear follow-up and action. This is a follow-up to my email sent last night regarding the widespread odour event. It is now 7:24 am, and the smell has continued through the night. Residents have been reporting it since around 2:00 am, and it remains present this morning across Woolston, South New Brighton and Brighton. Many people have been unable to open their windows or get relief in their homes including myself.”

“This is no longer a short-term incident — it is now a prolonged exposure event, and the lack of visible response is extremely concerning. This situation is unacceptable. People are being exposed for hours at a time with no clear information, no warnings, and no visible action. Please treat this as an urgent matter and advise what is being done now.”

At 8:29 am, a Christchurch City Council recorded another caller’s complaint that the, “…Odour is permeating and very intense. Burns eyes when outside. Deep, intense acrid smell they suspect is coming from the poo ponds. Smells intensely of urine and sewerage. Happening at the time of the call – just noticed at the start of this morning. 8-9/10. NE wind. Caller has asked to be called back with what we’re doing about this at [REDACTED PHONE]or goodseagull@gmail.com. They have also asked to be provided the PE number this report is assigned. Caller has indicated that somebody should attend this, if possible, due to the widespread impact.

By 29 January, the stench had reached Yaldhurst. Leech Drainage delivered 5,800 liters that day.

“[A]bsolute city wide sewage stench....!” a complainant wrote, “I live in Yaldhurst and can smell it... I just went to open my window to get some fresh night air and all I can smell is disgusting.. 🤢🤮🤢🤮🤢🤢 Sort it out, do better... this is disgusting. Why the hell is our waste so exposed..... surely some farmland in the middle of nowhere would be a better idea, or under ground.”

Another complainant described smelling the stench in Edgeware, writing-

“This was experienced most intensely at aproximately 3am-4am on 27th Jan and noted that the smell woke them up. Rated 4.5/6, with an easterly wind. Smell was not occurring at time of call today.”

Another person advised the council worker that Avonhead,

“smells “like shit”, being experienced on Maidstone Road. They advised that the smell began being noticed since last night about 8pm and ongoing today at time of call. Rated 4.5/6, light wind but unsure of direction. Customer wanted to know why the call smell it all the way from here so strongly, as they believe it is from Bromley.”

At the council complaint numbers surged.

On 30 January, Leech Drainage hauled in 6,100 liters.

Trish Cross complained, “Hi, I am writing to add a complaint regarding the stench coming from the wastewater plant which has spread across the city. I understood repairs had been carried out on previous damage. The stench has reached the central city and there are currently many visitors in the CBD and in fact to all areas of Christchurch. Frankly I find it unacceptable in a main centre of New Zealand.”

Willow Lucus wrote, “I have a weak stomach but omg the smell is making me gag constant I can’t keep food down I can’t go outside it’s disgusting and even my eyes sting from it thru period of sum days. Where’s my quality of life I’ve had more than enuf health problems in past I’m so hoping this does not cause any.”

On 31 January, a complainant wrote, “This has been going on all week, Thursday was unbearable. I got a migraine from it. This is a public health emergency and you are not doing anything about it as usual. The smell enters my house and just hangs there for hours. It doesn’t seem as bad down by the river”.”

Between 1 and 7 February, complaints flooded the Christchurch City Council by way of the Snap Send Solve app, through its webpage and by phone.

Over this period, Leech Drainage trucked in 37,000 liters of waste.

On 1 February, Susan Benton complained,

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111A Hereford Street. As of today the site is unfenced and undeveloped. Photo: Google Maps.

In a document dated 1 December 2024, the Christchurch City Council disclosed there were 8 illegal car parks in the city centre, in contrast to 18 in 2023.

The site, at 111A Hereford Street, is owned by real estate businessman Jim Glass, alongside his wife Sheryn Glass, through their company Hilburn Holdings Limited.

It has remained undeveloped for many years. Glass has said he doesn’t intend to develop the land and wants to sell up.

Wilson continues to operate on site, even after admitting it has no right to be there, and being told the Christchurch City Council has commenced enforcement action against Hilburn Holdings.

In 2018 the Commerce Commission accused Wilson Parking of anti-competitive behaviour in Wellington.

They settled out of court in 2020. In 2026, Wilson Parking dominate the car parking landscape.

On Monday, The NZR spoke with Jim Glass.

Glass claimed he didn’t know Wilson Parking was operating on his land.

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“Concealed inside an extractor fan vent above the stove was a plastic container and three metal measuring cups,” Police stated in a factual summary.

They contained “at least 5.7 grams of methamphetamine.”

On Beswick’s arrest, she gave up the phone number 0204742669. But not a second number used for drug dealing. Police found $920 hidden in her bra.

The Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust runs this Christchurch City Council complex. Their responses will be printed in a subsequent article.

During Police questioning Beswick refused to answer.

Police found more drugs, bringing the total to 13 grams of-presumably- methamphetamine.

They laid 11 charges against her.

On 25 June, the day after her arrest, District Court Judge PR Kellar granted her bail. Later Police laid four more charges.

On Tuesday in the District Court, she pleaded guilty through her lawyer Andrew McKenzie. She will be sentenced on 15 December.

Drug Dealing Deciphered

In March this year, Beswick messaged someone, “Do you or anyone you know wana buy waz there about 20ml I wana sell”.

“Yup . I do,” the other party responded, “I buy the whole lot right now.”

Glossary of Drug Terms for Readers

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After midnight on a Sunday last year, the youth and others “surrounded” a girl. One of them kicked her “in the back.”

After she had fallen down, the group kicked, stomped and punched her in the legs, face, body, and head. Their kicks moved her body.

One of them, the youth concerned, kicked her 65 times. Forty were made to her body and legs, the other twenty to her face, shoulders and face.

The youth’s kicks caused her head to snap “backwards”.

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On Thursday District Court Judge MA Crosbie jailed Osborne following a 2024 Police investigation and his arrest on 17 October 2024. Crosbie told him he will be eligible for parole in a few months.

Crosbie had jailed him for 3 years and 2 months. Osborne’s lawyers challenged his calculations. In closed chambers, with no media present, Osborne’s sentence was reduced to 2 years and 11 months.

In 2024 Police intercepted packages addressed to multiple addresses and examined Osborne’s bank account. They found he was receiving $850 a week in ACC payments. Between August 2023 and August 2024 that equated to $44,000. His account also turned up cash deposits of $85,000.

Police found Osborne offered either or both ketamine and MDMA twice in May and once in June 2024. On at least two of these occasions, he communicated via Facebook. During one of these transactions, Osborne referred to a lockup in Papanui.

On 2 July 2024, Osborne was filmed driving an Audi at speeds ranging from 204 to 254 kilometers per hour. On 17 July, he was observed in a Ford Ranger driving between 130 and 162km per hour. On 30 July he was filmed driving between cars at 186km per hour. That month he was disqualified from driving.

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After being sentenced to 150 hours of community work, Cumming was “inducted” on 11 November 2024. He was required to “report” on Saturday, 16 November and each Saturday thereafter. Between November 2024 and May 2025, he completed zero hours. By Tuesday’s appearance, Cumming had done 47 days.

On parole, Cumming stole a car on 28 February 2025. On 18 December last year, Cumming shoplifted 15 items from New World Fendalton, valued at $412.14. The next day he stole 15 more items from Pak’nSave on Moorhouse Avenue valued at $149.44. On 22 December, he stole $221.80 worth of product from New World on Stanmore Road.

On 31 January this year the Police tried to arrest Cumming at Kendall Avenue property. He wouldn’t come and “braced” himself in a doorway.

A court released Cumming on bail. This is an assumption.

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“…[Once] he became fully aware…we tried to supervise his behaviour.”

Sadler had pleaded guilty to one count of making digital communications intended to do harm, after stalking a woman (and harassing an “associate” and her partner) between April and December 2024.

“He doesn’t know how to put the boundaries [on it],” she told him.

Sadler has been diagnosed with an intellectual disability.

According to Callaghan, Sadler knew the woman through “mutual friends”.

In June 2024 he sent a friend request to her through Snapchat. He messaged her asking “how she was”. He continued to ask her “how she was”. Sadler continued to message her. She didn’t reply.

In September, he began to message her “everyday”. At some point, he messaged her 30 times or more a day. He indicated to her he want to meet.

After obtaining her cell phone, he texted her. He also contacted her partner.

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Yesterday District Court judge Mark Callaghan sentenced the only man to have been caught. The others remain at large.

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After the collision, Police tested Storer. She returned a breath alcohol level of 910 micrograms. The legal limit is 250 micrograms.

She told Police she had lost control because the brakes had failed.

This became Storer’s third drink driving conviction. Another was to follow.

Storer had also breached a court-ordered licence. That prohibited her from driving after drinking alcohol.

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“We pride ourselves on both the quality and efficiency of our builds, so you have no surprises”, the Wolfbrook webpage reads.

But this isn’t a Wolfbrook build. A different developer has been doing the job.

Wolfbrook’s National Construction Manager has admitted it was acting as the developer’s agents. “[W]e [are] not building that one…,” he stated.

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In early 2025, a court cancelled Culliford’s licence, after he drove with more than 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. An interlock order was imposed.

At the time of sentencing a legal aid lawyer, Culliford said, his legal aid lawyer had little time.

When he was sentenced, Culliford did not appreciate the interlock order was mandatory, meaning he would have to have go through with it. Culliford believed he could re-apply to drive after 1 year had elapsed. The LTSA told him the interlock was mandatory.

Police opposed Culliford’s application under section 100B of the Land Transport Act 1998. It was no defence he had misunderstood. They accepted Culliford had knee injuries.

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