58968 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for the Environment

58968 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for the Environment: What steps, if any, is she taking to ensure accurate, current monitoring of nitrate levels?

Hon Penny Simmonds: More than 2,100 river, lake, or groundwater sites are regularly monitored by regional councils and Earth Sciences New Zealand and reported nationally by the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ. These data collection and reporting processes are undergoing continuous quality assurance and improvement processes. Additionally, 7,328 nitrate source water samples were included in the 2024 Drinking Water Regulation Report, an increase of approximately 86% from 2023. I expect this number to increase further as more water suppliers register and comply with the Water Services Act.