Cleanup Completed at Landfill Sites in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Attention turned to the old landfill sites after severe flooding in 2022 caused waste from one of the areas to spill into the Hooker River, which eventually flows into Lake Pūkaki.

A major environmental cleanup project in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park has been completed, removing decades-old waste from two former landfill sites that had become increasingly vulnerable to erosion and flooding. The project involved excavating and safely disposing of around 2,500 cubic metres of rubbish from sites that operated as landfills between 1950 and 1980. Located about three kilometres from Aoraki/Mount Cook Village, the areas had raised concerns because of their proximity to waterways and the risk of pollution entering the surrounding environment. The $3.32 million initiative was jointly funded by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Ministry for the Environment, with each contributing $1.66 million.

Flooding Highlighted Growing Environmental Risks

Attention turned to the old landfill sites after severe flooding in 2022 caused waste from one of the areas to spill into the Hooker River, which eventually flows into Lake Pūkaki. The incident highlighted the growing threat posed by the ageing sites as changing weather patterns and erosion increased the risk of contamination. Environment Minister Nicola Grigg said the project was an important step in addressing environmental hazards before they caused more serious damage. Removing the waste means less risk to nearby waterways, local ecosystems and surrounding communities. All excavated material was transported to a licensed disposal facility where it could be managed safely and appropriately.

Protecting a National Treasure for the Future

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is one of New Zealand's most iconic natural landscapes, attracting visitors from around the world and supporting unique ecosystems that depend on clean water and healthy habitats. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said allowing the waste to remain in place would have continued to threaten the river system and the park's environmental values. The cleanup helps protect water quality while preserving the natural character of the region for future generations.

The project forms part of a broader effort by DOC to tackle legacy landfill sites and contaminated areas that are becoming more exposed to extreme weather and environmental change. Support for the work came through the Ministry for the Environment's Contaminated Sites and Vulnerable Landfills Fund, with Environment Canterbury also backing the application.

Work began in April 2026 and was completed on 4 June, marking the successful conclusion of a project aimed at preventing historic waste from becoming a long-term environmental problem.