39252 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister of Local Government

39252 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister of Local Government: What pilot programmes, if any, have been initiated by any departments or agencies for which the Minister is responsible since 27 November 2023, and what were their commencement dates, durations, funding sources and amounts, objectives, and current status?

Hon Simon Watts: Community drinking water supplies: Information and education needs The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai initiated Te Ihorangi in October 2024, a time-limited approach that aimed to: • increase awareness among community-owned drinking water supplies of new drinking water regulations and what that means for them; and • learn about information and guidance would be useful for community suppliers to have access to, to inform the Authority’s approach to the education and information functions of its role overseeing the safety of New Zealand’s drinking water supplies. The approach: • was used initially in Gisborne District (Tairawhiti), in October 2024 for five days, and subsequently in the Northland Region (Taitokerau) in February 2025 for four days. • involved hosting information sharing workshops, surveying suppliers on their information needs and awareness of new regulations, and practical information on how to test and treat water so it is safe in small rural communities • concluded in March 2025 following the work in those two regions. Insights were communicated in the Authority’s Drinking Water Regulation Report published in June 2025. The total cost of the approach in the two regions concerned was approximately $35,000, funded from baseline Crown funding for the Authority.