Media Releases

Media Contact:

Debra Harrington, Communications Manager 
E: media@waternz.org.nz
P: +64 4 495 0895
M: +64 27 202 8857

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Media Releases

March 2023

• Modelling for an uncertain water future 
• Need for better alignment in water reform legislation

January 2023

• Water New Zealand Welcomes new Establishment Chief Executives for Water Services Entities

December 2022

• Don't spoil your holidays through water borne illnesses
• Three Waters legislation a big step towards improving water services resilience

November 2022

• Need for long term solution to Three Waters
• Climate change threatens drinking water, crops, infrastructure

August 2022

• Government urged not to delay vital water services reforms

July 2022

• New regulatory reporting will improve transparency and drinking water safety

June 2022

• New Bill represents once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle water infrastructure deficit

May 2022

• World first flushability standard big step towards preventing blockages
• Stormwater Conference tackles climate issues 

April 2022

• Another step towards addressing water infrastructure challenge 
• Billions of dollars needed to replace ageing asbestos pipes
•  Poor drinking water safety findings reflect long term lack of investment
  

March 2022

• Strategy aims to address Three Waters workforce shortage
• Water New Zealand welcomes global plastic pollution agreement
• Eight fold variation in water charges - depending on where your live
• Huge regional disparities in water wastage - new NPR report 

December 2021

• Stay safe and check your drinking water supply  
• Pathway to reducing greenhouse gas emission in water 

November 2021

• New era in safer drinking water
• Water New Zealand joins global call to tackle wastewater emission
  

October 2021

• Proposal will unlock barriers to address water infrastructure deficit  

September 2021

• New Flushability Standard to help reduce blockages caused by wipes

July 2021

• New Zealand needs to get tough on lead in pipe fittings
  

June 2021

• Vital conversation needed on three waters future
• Get tough approach on plastics welcomed
• Safer Drinking Water Key Issue For New Zealanders
• Need for more water investment made clear

May 2021

• Stormwater - the poor cousin of the water sector

April 2021

• Three waters sector challenged by huge growth and infrastructure demands
  
•  Lead contamination report shows need for regulatory improvements
  

March 2021

• Too many New Zealanders receive drinking water of unknown quality
• Water conference expo stands sold out in record time 

February 2021 

• Water New Zealand welcomes new Taumata Arowai Board 

December 2020

• Check for drinking water safety when you head to holiday spots

November 2020

• Water New Zealand welcomes local government minister decision

August 2020

• Stormwater conference offers new possibilities to wider audience

July 2020

• New water legislation will transform drinking water quality and delivery
• Flood-prone septic tanks pose significant health risk
• Major milestone towards safer drinking water
• Government funding signals pathway to safer drinking water
• New CEO appointed to Water New Zealand

May 2020

• Sensible plan for freshwater clean up
• Three billion dollar Infrastructure boost a good start
• Water New Zealand welcomes funding boost for trades and training
• COVID-19 response provides once-in-a-generation opportunity for water sector

March 2020

• Widespread toilet blockage fear through Covid-19  
• Don’t risk a costly pipes blockage – only flush toilet paper 

February 2020

• Wellington's water woes reflect national problem

December 2019

• Report Highlights Water Challenges Faced By Local Authorities
• Water Services Regulator Bill Taumata Arowai - a critical step to drinking water safety

November 2019

• Proposals set pathway for much-needed improvement in freshwater quality

October 2019

• Independent Drinking Water Regulator Supported

September 2019

• Water reform challenges – a key focus at this week’s Water New Zealand conference
• Media Advisory – invitation to Water New Zealand Conference 18-20 September 2019
• Thumbs Up For Freshwater Announcement

July 2019

• New regulator - a big step forward for safe drinking water
• Disappointing judgement over "flushable" wipes

June 2019

• Growing risk of nitrate contamination private water supplies

April 2019

• Conference focuses on sustainable stormwater solutions
• Prisoners should not need to drink bottled water
• Second Martinborough water contamination event signals urgent need for better regulation
• More evidence of "flushable" product failure

March 2019

• People in small communities more likely to struggle to pay water costs
• Increased sewage overflows linked to wipes and other non flushables

February 2019

• New commission should ensure better approach to infrastructure planning

January 2019

• Sea level rise likely to damage inland water infrastructure

December 2018

• Stay Safe - Check The Water At Your Holiday Spot

November 2018

• Need for water sector reform reflected in Government proposals

October 2018

• Report signals major challenges for wastewater improvement

September 2018

• Water reform under spotlight at water conference

July 2018

• Water New Zealand welcomes new moves towards safer drinking water

June 2018

• Report reveals unacceptable performance of many drinking water suppliers
• Support for Court Decision on Fluoride
• Final water forum report provides guidance for quality improvement

May 2018

• Summit aims to provide water sector with overview of likely reforms

April 2018

• Big increase in sewage overflows likely to continue

March 2018

• Better design and innovation needed for long term water sustainability

January 2018

• Councils and water sector eager to grasp Havelock North implications
• Water New Zealand welcomes Christchurch water chlorination decision
• Christchurch water chlorination urgently needed to protect public health

December 2017

• Major reform urgently needed in drinking water supply

October 2017

• Water system report shows urgent need for climate change preparation
• Robust and fair water policy needed in wake of water tax dumping

September 2017

• Havelock North report shows economic value of water treatment
• Survey reveals New Zealanders have major concerns about water quality
• Untreated drinking water poses huge health risk – Drinking Water Workshop

August 2017

• Survey reveals overwhelming support for water charging
• Labour's water policy raises many questions
• Lack of mandatory training and qualifications causes gap in drinking water safety

June 2017

• Formal collaboration needed to help ensure safe drinking water
• Opinion - Time for national conversation over water pricing

May 2017

• Improving drinking water quality will place big costs on local communities
• Don't treat your toilet as a rubbish bin - new video launched
• Water sector needs to embrace learnings from Havelock North Inquiry
• New stormwater solutions needed for NZ communities to remain resilient
• Conference tackles big challenges over flooding and stormwater
• National survey seeks New Zealanders’ view on water

March 2017

• National conversation needed over water pricing

January 2017

• Too many damaging products being flushed

December 2016

• Fluoride bill positive but Government could go further
• Earthquake damage highlights need for better ways to invest in NZ's water services

November 2016

• Bottled drinking water is unnecessary and wasteful - Water New Zealand
• Havelock North sparks safe drinking water workshop in Palmerston North - 29 Nov
• Havelock North sparks safe drinking water workshop in Hamilton - 30 Nov

October 2016

• Call to remove politics from water - Water Conference
• Call for cuts to band-aid solutions over water contamination
• Study shows high cost effectiveness of fluoride health benefits
• Conference tackles tough water issues facing New Zealand

September 2016

• Are Christchurch City councillors playing Russian roulette over drinking water?
• Don’t forget urban waterways – World Rivers Day
• Inquiry provides for much-needed review of drinking water

August 2016

• Contamination Outbreak Shows Need to Review Water Treatment Rules
• Council Approach to Water Crisis Correct

April 2016

• Water New Zealand Supports Government Decision on Fluoride
  

March 2016

• Water New Zealand Announces Stepped Up Strategy on World Water Day
• Water New Zealand Supports Changes to Local Government Act - Enables Local Decision Making on Water

November 2015

• Water New Zealand calls for Central Government Direction in Wake of Seal Level Rise Report

August 2015

• Water New Zealand calls for Government to make Fluoridation of Public Water Compulsory
• Water New Zealand Applauds Council and Iwi First
• Water New Zealand Supports Councils Collaboration on Water Resilience
• Water New Zealand Welcomes Government's 30 Year Infrastructure Plan
• Water New Zealand Central Plains Water
• Water New Zealand Drinking Water Subsidies
• Water New Zealand Fluoride in Water
• Water New Zealand Iwi Leaders LGNZ

January 2013

• Water New Zealand welcomes boost to irrigation funding

November 2012

• Forum proposes sensible solutions for water management