Auckland Council report into drain covers follows teen's death in South Auckland drain

Auckland's drains are safe, despite the tragic death of Violet Tupou, an Auckland Council review has found.

However, the council will now try lockable grates.

The council ordered the two-part review after 17-year-old Tupou's body was found lodged head-first in a stormwater drain in South Auckland on June 4.

It's not known how Tupou came to be in the drain, but it is believed she may have been trying to retrieve a tennis ball.

Tupou, who was autistic, was playing with other children when she died near Enuamanu Rd in Mangere.

Her death sparked a safety probe from Auckland Council into drain covers, after the young woman's family and community leaders asked why they were not bolted down.

Community leader Lemauga Lydia Sosene earlier pleaded with council officials for action to be taken to prevent another tragedy.

"The crux of the issue is asking the council to review the design. Is there any way that these drain lids can be locked? I realise it's difficult, with thousands across the region, but our children's lives are worth it," Sosene said.

Today, the council released its findings, saying "catchpits", when used as designed and intended, were safe.

The review found although there were about 118,000 catchpits across the Auckland region, serious accidents were extremely rare.

Violet Tupou died after she went head-first into a drain on June 4, 2017. Photo / Facebook

It found that the likelihood of a person becoming stuck in a catchpit, leading to death, was rare and that none of the hazards associated with catchpits were considered high or of extreme risk.

However, the report identified several other risks around catchpits, not necessarily associated with drowning, that led to a series of recommendations being made to address these risks.

The recommendations included improving public awareness about safely retrieving items from catchpits, and minimising the chance of blockages and flooding.

It also recommended that the council design a lockable drain cover and consider an update to the Code of Practice accordingly.

The council is trialling a spring bar locking catchpit at two drains in South Auckland.

Director of infrastructure and environmental services Barry Potter said the review showed accidents involving the drains were rare.

Flowers at the site of the death of Violet Tupou. Photo / Aupito Su'a William Sio via Facebook

"However, we are working closely with Auckland Transport to take steps to further enhance the safety of our catchpits."

Violet's family have requested privacy.

Over the past five years, Auckland Transport received 3513 service requests for repairs to catchpits. Of those, 2811 were for missing or dislodged grates and the others were for broken catchpit grates, frames or backing plates.

"We treat missing catchpit grates as an emergency and aim to respond to them within one hour," Potter said.

Within those five years, seven people were injured by falling into a catchpit.

Six fell into a catchpit because of a missing grate and one slipped into the gap because the grate was backing plate was broken. The victims mostly suffered bruising, grazes, or cuts to their legs.

In 2009, West Auckland toddler Aisling Symes died after falling into a drain.

Potter said the council will get items free within four hours and asked that if anyone saw covers being removed or missing to call the council on (09) 301 0101.

Violet Tupou's death has been referred to the coroner.