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Does the Minister consider nitrate contamination of groundwater in Southland to be a priority issue for the South Island, in light of the Environment Southland report that shows 65 people are served by water supplies above the legal limit of 11.3 Mg/L MAV for nitrate contamination?

Answered Question 36521 (2026)
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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • Does the Minister consider nitrate contamination of groundwater in Southland to be a priority issue for the South Island, in light of the Environment Southland report that shows 65 people are served by water supplies above the legal limit of 11.3 Mg/L MAV for nitrate contamination?

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Minister for the South Island

Answer

Issues relating to the management of freshwater quality, including nitrogen contamination in groundwater, are primarily matters for the Minister for the Environment. Programmes like Managed Aquifer Recharge are worth supporting and should be allowed to proceed.