58961 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for the Environment

58961 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for the Environment: Has she requested any advice on nitrate levels, and if so, what if the title and date of that advice?

Hon Penny Simmonds: No, because such information is publicly available through Land, Air, Water, Aotearoa (LAWA), the Ministry for the Environment's/Stats NZ's State of the Environment reporting, and Taumata Arowai's Drinking Water Regulation Report. Furthermore, work is underway to replace the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater. This includes the proposal to improve the protection of drinking water sources. In mid-2025, the Government consulted on proposals to improve protection of drinking water sources, including mapping Source Water Risk Management Areas. The Government is considering advice following that public consultation.