Watercare Central Interceptor Discovery Centre
Flushing out old ideas and flooding Auckland with curiosity-driven education
Client:
Watercare
The brief
Watercare needed a game-changing way to educate Aucklanders about one of the biggest sustainability challenges facing the city — wastewater. With the Central Interceptor tunnel project underway, they asked us to help make it real, relevant, and exciting for the community.
Our curious spark
How do you make wastewater fascinating? You mix smart tech, sharp design, and one charming animated eel. Meet the Watercare Central Interceptor Discovery Centre — a mobile, immersive learning experience that dials up the curiosity and demystifies the massive infrastructure project happening right beneath our feet.
Why this campaign needed to make a splash
Water is one of our most precious resources, but it’s under threat. In Auckland alone, corroded pipes and rainwater overflow are contaminating waterways. The Central Interceptor is Watercare’s ambitious response: a 14.7km-long underground tunnel that will reduce wastewater overflow by up to 80%. Our job? Make sure Aucklanders know why it matters — and get genuinely excited about it.
Activating curiosity and creativity
Our curious crew at work
This was about turning complex science into emotional storytelling, and to do that, we needed to think curiously. Every element of the Discovery Centre was carefully crafted to spark wonder, make learning feel natural, and deepen the public’s connection to the Central Interceptor.
Excitingly, the tireless work of our crew had a huge impact: the Discovery Centre will be reimagined into a dynamic, flexible education platform, not just for the Central Interceptor but for multiple Watercare infrastructure projects across Auckland.
Proof that curiosity pays off
5 year road trip
Engaged more than 1 million people face-to-face, across schools, festivals and community events — informing and inspiring.
Educational impact
Formal recognition by Auckland Council as a best-practice model for large-scale infrastructure engagement.
Sustainable community engagement
The programme will continue with an "always on" engagement model — activating at community events, project-specific open days, school visits, and long-term residencies at locations like MOTAT and the Maritime Museum.
New brand and look
There are plans for a new visual identity and a new name to reposition the Discovery Centre as a broader Watercare ambassador for water infrastructure and sustainability education. Exterior and interior designs will be refreshed to better represent Auckland’s natural elements (water, sky, land) and connect culturally, including working with local iwi artists.
Lessons in curiosity
By asking, “How do we make wastewater fascinating?” we created an experience that celebrated the power of storytelling, education, and sustainability. The result? More than just awareness — a wave of community pride, engagement and now, an ambitious vision for evolution and expansion that will inspire Aucklanders for years to come.