Lower Khyber Pass Separation Project

Since November 2022, March Cato have been working under an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) Agreement with Auckland Council Healthy Waters to support the development of the Lower Khyber Stormwater Separation Project. Working collaboratively, with the Healthy Waters team, Jacobs and key product suppliers Hynds, March Cato brought our tunnelling and shaft construction expertise, providing constructability advice and support to develop efficient, value engineering proposals to generate a robust design that met Healthy Waters requirements.

In 2025, following the completion of the design and the approval of the relevant consents etc, March Cato have been proud to be trusted to deliver this landmark project for Auckland Council.

The Lower Khyber Stormwater Separation Project is more than just an upgrade – it’s NZ’s first permanent Stormwater Manhole structure constructed using the caisson methodology and at the same time, it’s March Cato’s deepest caisson shaft at a total dept of 24m.

This high-profile project for Auckland Council is designed to safeguard Newmarket and central Auckland from the risk of flooding generated by the ever more frequent and severe rainfall events.

The Project is progressing well and expected to complete in mid to late 2026.