Why was advice from the 'National Public Health Service, Health New Zealand' against a 35-year default consent length for wastewater treatment plant discharges, as noted in Appendix 1 of their 22 April 2025 letter to Taumata Arowai (released by the Ministers office via OIA), not followed through with in the final wastewater environmental performance standards?

Answer

It was determined the wastewater environmental performance standards should be consistent with section 123(1)(aa) of the Resource Management Act 1991, which specifies a 35-year consent period where wastewater standards are met. The water services legislation provides for a 35-year consent period to recognise the significant investment required to upgrade or renew wastewater infrastructure, allow the investment to reflect intergenerational benefits, and be affordable. The 35-year consent duration is consistent with that provided for other long-lived infrastructure, such as renewable energy-related consents.