36521 (2026). Lan Pham to the Minister for the South Island

Written Question

Published date: 28 Aug 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	36521 (2026)
Question asked:	16 Aug 2026
Member asking:	Lan Pham
Portfolio:	Minister for the South Island
Minister replying:	Hon James Meager
Answer received:	24 Aug 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_36521_2026
Document guid:	5485b005-eb0a-4102-a4b7-1643023a2712

36521 (2026). Lan Pham to the Minister for the South Island: 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?

Hon James Meager: 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.