58955 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for the Environment

Written Question

Published date: 21 Jan 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	58955 (2025)
Question asked:	16 Dec 2025
Member asking:	Hon Rachel Brooking
Portfolio:	Minister for the Environment
Minister replying:	Hon Penny Simmonds
Answer received:	14 Jan 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_58955_2025
Document guid:	5d972fbd-9793-416c-b32a-8e66799fd732

58955 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for the Environment: What responsibility, if any, does she believe central government has for nitrate contamination outcomes?

Hon Penny Simmonds: Central government has multiple responsibilities in relation to nitrate contamination of drinking water supplies. These include setting drinking water standards (taking into account the latest public health advice), ensuring registered drinking water supplies comply with these standards, and providing direction to regional councils to manage source waters such that drinking water meets drinking water standards after treatment.