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In relation to Reply 18581 (2026), has the Minister received any wider advice on the risk of nitrates to the public in private water supplies, such as across the Canterbury and Southland regions, beyond the localised incident related to the Waihao source?

Answered Question 19489 (2026)
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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • In relation to Reply 18581 (2026), has the Minister received any wider advice on the risk of nitrates to the public in private water supplies, such as across the Canterbury and Southland regions, beyond the localised incident related to the Waihao source?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai has informed the Minister of public and media interest in nitrates in drinking water including: • the low incidences of Maximum Acceptable Value exceedances of nitrate in New Zealand in public water supplies; and • the heightened risks of contamination incidences of nitrate in private water supplies which draw water from shallow bores.