News

Almost one-third of Manawatu¯ ’s drinking water supply needs immediate work to fix potential risks to public health, an independent report has found.

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Multiple barriers needed to keep drinking water safe

18 May 2023

Chlorine is very good at killing bugs that can kill us - listen to Water New Zealand CEO Gillian Blythe explain why it's so important to have multiple barriers against drinking water contamination, including residual disinfectant, right to the tap.

Covid-19: Whole North Island regions had no wastewater sampling due to cyclone

06 March 2023

Whole regions have had their Covid-19 wastewater testing affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and further severe weather, causing “gaps in the data”.

DOC’s Community Environment Fund open

01 December 2022

The Department of Conservation (DOC) Community Fund is now open for community conservation groups undertaking critical, grassroots work to support Aotearoa’s biodiversity strategy.

Christchurch water fluoridation decision delayed until next year

21 November 2022

A decision on fluoridating Christchurch’s water has been delayed until at least April despite calls for urgency in the face of concerns at childhood tooth decay.

New drinking water quality assurance rules

25 July 2022

Taumata Arowai have published new Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules, which set out what drinking water suppliers need to do to comply with key parts of the Drinking Water Standards and other requirements under the Water Services Act 2021. 

The new Rules come into effect on 14 November 2022.

Water Bill passes first Reading

10 June 2022

The Water Services Entities Bill which paves the way for the establishment of the four new regionally-based water entities passed its First Reading in Parliament yesterday.

Co-governance: Time to get on with it?

11 May 2022

The Government's been under pressure to explain what it means by co-governance in the wake of its water and health reforms.

But as former Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Chris Finlayson explains, the concept itself is nothing new.

New wastewater treatment plant for Wellington

12 April 2022

A new waste treatment plant, which will dramatically reduce volumes of sludge being disposed of at Wellington’s Southern Landfill, is expected to be funded through new ratepayer levies.

Can we flood-proof our homes?

30 March 2022

Forget about putting bigger pipes underground to stop a repeat of the damaging flash flooding that hit Auckland last week.

In most cases, it wouldn’t have made a difference, says flood expert Jon Rix, the head of the water engineering team at environmental and engineering consultancy Tonkin + Taylor.

Urgent need to change the narrative on Three Waters

22 March 2022

Water NZ’s latest National Performance Review is a stark reminder why we need to get beyond the politics of Three Waters reform and get on with solving our dire water infrastructure problems

International plastic pollution treaty risks being watered down

23 February 2022

Following years of discussions, support for a global treaty to stem the tide of plastic pollution is now widespread, with 75% of UN member states backing the idea.

Mauri model decisionmaking framework

01 December 2021

Mihi mai ki a Dr Te Kīpa Kēpa Morgan, a professional engineer, who’s inspiring a different value system that he says can help humanity thrive and safeguard the sustainability of our planet.

We're 10,000 miles apart, but on water we're closer than we think

23 September 2021

The chief executive of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS), Alan Sutherland, explains how economic and water quality regulation along with structural reform, has benefitted Scotland.

Auckland's juggling act to supply water

26 August 2021

A look at options for Auckland water supply in light of forecast drier conditions.


Collective effort needed to restore Te mana o te Wai

05 August 2021

Members of Kahui Wai Māori, the Māori Freshwater Forum, are on a tour encouraging regional councils to get behind efforts to clean up the nation’s waterways.

Council's battle to remove chlorine 'like a game of tennis' with safety assessors

09 July 2021

Hopes of a chlorine-free Christmas for some Christchurch residents may be dashed as health authorities have refused to sign off a plan detailing the safety of the city's water supply.

Auckland water rates rise a necessary pill - WaterCare

02 June 2021

WaterCare says it has some sympathy for the Aucklanders whose water costs will double in the next ten years, but says - unfortunately - it's a necessary pill to swallow.

Taumata Arowai goes live

25 March 2021

Taumata Arowai has launched its new website in the latest step towards becoming a new fully-functioning drinking water regulator.

The new Crown entity will take over from the Ministry of Health as the regulator of drinking water for Aotearoa in the second half of 2021. As well it will have an oversight role for waste and stormwater.

First Reading for Water Services Bill

10 December 2020

The Water Services Bill has passed its First Reading in Parliament with support from all parties. Local government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says this is a decisive step towards ensuring safe drinking water and more efficient wastewater and stormwater networks.

Leaky pipes especially serious in rural areas

06 July 2020

Information from Water New Zealand's National Performance Review has found that rural communities have some of the worst leaky water pipes in the country with some regional councils losing as much as 50 percent of the water put into their pipes.

How to Stay COVID free at a WRRF

31 March 2020

The Water Environment Federation has created an infographic on "How to stay COVID free at a Waste Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF)" also known as a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

Matariki - 25th June 2019

20 June 2019

Matariki is approaching fast, and is due to rise and be visable on the morning horizon (NE direction) on 25th June 2019.

Craft Brewers Oppose New Water Pollution Loophole

19 June 2019

Today, 38 craft breweries around the country submitted a letter opposing the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to stop controlling pollution that flows through groundwater into rivers, streams, and lakes.

Measuring emissions guide from MfE

21 May 2019

MfE released an updated measuring emissions guide (formerly the guide for voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reporting) earlier this month.

Meet the delegations from Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia at Ozwater

09 April 2019

Please follow up with An Nguyen and Paul Smith with your interest in meeting the SEAsian delegations and we will send you details of their activities during Ozwater.

Local government inquiry terms of reference confirmed

31 July 2018

The terms of reference are available here and anyone interested in the inquiry can subscribe to receive updates. Water New Zealand will be preparing a submission.

IEMA-NZ - Water Discussion Event

05 June 2018

The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA, www.iema.net) The NZ membership of IEMA was formed inApril 2017 to support IEMA and is supported by members located across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Setting research priorities for impacts of climate change on drought

18 May 2018

As part of the government funded science challenges, Water New Zealand has been invited to participate in “Deep South Science Challenge” dialogue on drought. The outcomes of the dialogue will be funded research projects that look at the Impacts and Implications of climate projections of drought.

Life on the edge

23 January 2018

This follows two reports from Niwa, warning the country tends to react to events rather than prepare for them.

Local Government New Zealand president and Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull told Nine to Noon many councils were unprepared and would not have the money to cope with erosion risk in their communities.

Shared Waters Management Company in the Waikato – member views on a Water New Zealand submission

26 October 2017

Waipa District and Hamilton City Councils have released a Statement of Proposal to form a Shared Water Management Company (a non-asset owning Council Controlled Organisation) to manage drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services on behalf of both councils.

Water New Zealand Stormwater Group – Stormwater Management Survey

24 October 2017

You are invited to take part in a research survey regarding the collaboration of urban site design teams (architects, landscape architects, engineers, planners etc.) in the design of sustainable stormwater management systems.