58956 (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:	58956 (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_58956_2025
Document guid:	9d91e72b-0a54-476a-b79b-f160d85d331d

58956 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for the Environment: Has she requested or received advice from the Ministry for the Environment on whether New Zealand’s nitrate maximum acceptable value should be reviewed, and if so, what is the title and date of that advice?

Hon Penny Simmonds: Setting drinking water standards is not my responsibility as the Minister for the Environment. The Ministry of Health provides scientific advice to Taumata Arowai on matters concerning New Zealand’s maximum acceptable values (MAVs) and related public health policy. I understand that the Ministry of Health considers the current MAV for nitrate to be appropriate and continues to monitor and review the overall body of evidence on nitrate in drinking water.