11. BRENDON BURNS (Labour—Christchurch Central) Link to this
to the Minister of Local Government
Has he received the reports he called for from officials on the water-quality standards, due on 9 April, and what do they say?
Hon RODNEY HIDEWhen the Minister told this House last month it was ridiculous for local government representatives to be facing major upgrading costs for water supplies, was he then aware of communities whose supplies are so poor they have had, or have every reason to fear, serious outbreaks of water-borne illnesses such as giardia, cryptosporidium, and E. coli?
The Government is very aware of the need to ensure good, safe drinking-water. The debate has been about the costs and the standards, and that is why the report has been called for.
What has the Minister of Tourism told the Minister about the impact on the tourism industry if a group of overseas visitors were to suffer illnesses caused by contaminated drinking-water supplies?
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What are the views of iwi, relevant to water-quality standards, that have emerged from the ongoing dialogue between the Crown and Māori leaders in relation to water management?
I understand that the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Health are engaged in a constructive dialogue with iwi on water management and water-quality standards. The Government recognises that iwi regard water as a taonga, with life-giving qualities and a spiritual essence. I am afraid that if the member would like to know more about where those discussions are at, he will need to put a question down to my colleague the Hon Nick Smith.
Brendon Burns: I seek leave to table two papers from Otago University that show that New Zealand has some of the highest recorded rates of gut infections caused by cryptosporidium and giardia.
Mr SPEAKER