Named for its location within the Wainuiomata Water Catchment, Catchment Road begins near the Morton Dam within Reservoir Valley, leading towards the tunnel that passes through to the Orongorongo Valley. The road was established in the 1960s and is owned by Greater Wellington Regional Council / Wellington Water.
Before the road and during construction of the Orongorongo water catchment, materials were transported up the Orongorongo River on the south coast. The other route was up a 6.5km pack track, ascending to 300 meters then into the Orongorongo Valley from the Wainuiomata water catchment.
