Podcasts about watercare

In case you missed it... Dom talks with Jim Aitken, owner of Mahurangi Oysters, about its ongoing battle with Watercare to stop sewage overflow contaminating its oyster crops in the Mahurangi River, how many oyster farmers are struggling to stay in business and what is being done to address the situation. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Watercare has agreed a compensation deal with oyster farmers left without an income after tens of thousands of litres of sewage spilled into the Mahurangi Harbour contaminating their oyster beds. A fault at Watercare's new Warkworth Wastewater Treatment plant caused the massive sewage overflow. Testing then revealed the harbour's oysters were contaminated, Forcing the oyster farms to shut down for a minimum 28 days. Mahurangi Oyster Association chairperson Lynette Dunn spoke to Lisa Owen.

A million dollar compensation deal with Watercare is only short-term relief for Auckland oyster farmers, who've lost income from a massive sewage spill in the Mahurangi River. The issue caused by a power surge at the Warkworth pump station has meant an almost month-long halt on harvesting. Watercare's now paid out one million dollars to Aquaculture New Zealand for distribution to 10 impacted oyster farmers. Matakana Oysters owner Tom Walters told Mike Hosking they're feeling relieved, but it's only a start. He says this cheque is just for the event that happened two weeks ago, and the payout would need to be much larger to fix the damage caused by the spillages that happened throughout the year due to outdated infrastructure. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 13th of November 2025, Sir Brian Roche is investigating Andrew Coster over the IPCA report. Watercare is set to pay a $1 million settlement to 10 oyster farmers affected by a sewage spill. FENZ is proposing to cut more than a hundred jobs, PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons explains how it will impact firefighters. Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on new allegations from House Democrats that Donald Trump knew about Mr Epstein's illegal behaviour and the latest on the US government shutdown. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Auckland oyster farmers believe a million dollar payout from Watercare isn't enough to cover their reputational loss. A power surge at the Warkworth pump station caused a massive sewage spill in the Mahurangi River, meaning an almost month-long halt to harvesting. Watercare's payout to Aquaculture New Zealand will be distributed across 10 impacted oyster farmers. Mahurangi Oyster Farmers' Association Chair Lynette Dunn told Ryan Bridge you can't put a price on not being able to harvest good quality oysters. She says stories about the wastewater issues mean all oyster farmers in the area have had their reputations damaged. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Jim Aitken, owner of Mahurangi Oysters, about its ongoing battle with Watercare to stop sewage overflow contaminating its oyster crops in the Mahurangi River, how many oyster farmers are struggling to stay in business and what is being done to address the situation... And he talks with Rural Women NZ President Sandra Matthews about its ongoing centenary celebrations, the role it plays in the rural community and what's on offer for members. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Dom talks with Jim Aitken, owner of Mahurangi Oysters, about its ongoing battle with Watercare to stop sewage overflow contaminating its oyster crops in the Mahurangi River, how many oyster farmers are struggling to stay in business and what is being done to address the situation. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Watercare and negotiators for oyster farmers north of Auckland have spent a second day in compensation talks after their farms were contaminated after a sewage leak, but they have yet to reach an agreement. A fault at Watercare's Warkworth plant sent sewage overflowing into the Mahurangi River last week, meaning farmers can't collect oyster for 28 days. Jim Aitken from Mahurangi Oysters spoke to Lisa Owen.

On Friday I interviewed a representative of oyster farmers in the Mahurangi area who were outraged at a wastewater dump by Watercare that had poisoned their oysters. They have to close for 28 days. One farmer has to dump 80,000 oysters. That's not good for business or their cashflow. As the interview went on I found out that this is not an isolated incident. It's already happened 39 times before this year. And even worse Watercare has the right to do a dump like this 200 times every year. I was flabbergasted. That seems like an awful lot of dumping. Then in the weekend I got a call from a local MP. She told me Watercare basically wrote their own consent. They needed to involve public consultation yet all they did was drop some leaflets at the Warkworth library. She's raised the issue with the mayor, the man who wants to make Auckland a global city, and Mr Fix it doesn't seem at all interested in fixing it. And now they dump the regions wastewater into the Mahurangi River and they're allowed to do that 200 times a year. It's killing the river. It's destroying the oyster business. It's decimated commercial fishing in the area. It's a symptom of intensification in the area. It's a symptom of the infrastructure being unable to cope with the new demand. And it's a symptom of the Council not having enough money to fix the problem and no desire to help the affected businesses and to rescue a wrecked river. Honestly, I'd rather swim in the Thames or the Seine than swim in the Mahurangi in rural North Auckland. The issue has been swept under the carpet by Watercare and the authorities and it's frankly just not good enough. Day by day clean green New Zealand is becoming a myth and a lie we like to tell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watercare says it is extremely disappointed and sorry that a fault with one its plants saw Auckland oyster farms contaminated and unable to harvest. The Matakana farmers are devastated yet another sewage overflow into the Mahurangi River has left them unable to collect oysters for another 28 days. Watercare Ceo Jamie Sinclair spoke to Lisa Owen.

A pump station overflow north of Auckland has resulted in the temporary closure of Oyster farms and the destruction of thousands of contaminated oysters. In an email sent on Thursday, Watercare said the pump station overflowed at about 2.30pm to the stormwater pond and wastewater began entering the Mahurangi River but the overflow was not stopped until 8am the next day. Chair of the Mahurangi Oyster Farms Association, Lynette Dunn, said to Andrew Dickens that this was far from the first time this type of incident had occurred. "I think by recording, we might be up to about 38 or 39 times for the whole year," she said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oyster farmers are devastated after another sewage overflow into the Mahurangi River. Watercare believes a power surge tripped the pumps, and caused 12 hundred cubic metres of wastewater to overflow. NZ First MP Jenny Marcroft is the Oceans and Fisheries Parliamentary Under-Secretary and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss

Oyster farmers are outraged after what is believed to be the biggest Wastewater spill into the Mahurangi River, this year. Watercare has told Oyster farmers an overflow of 1200 cubic metres happened on Wednesday afternoon but it wasn't picked up by its alert system. Mahurangi Oyster Association chairperson Lynette Dunn spoke to Corin Dann.

Watercare says a new wastewater plant will help significantly cut sewage overflows that have plagued oyster farmers north of Auckland. Kim Baker Wilson reports.

Commentators are telling us that the tide is turning, that we've reached the bottom of the cycle. ANZ has lowered its mortgage interest rates, so other banks will surely follow suit, bringing relief to many households. Spring is almost here. And then the rates bill arrives in the mail. Any financial gains are immediately lost, any lift of the spirits plummets. The Government is well aware that rising rates are adding to the economic doom and gloom. They put councils on notice last year to deliver value for money and promised to name and shame councils who were profligate spenders. They called it a table of spending, we call it naming and shaming. The report is designed to hold councils accountable on six metrics: Rates – the change in rates since the previous year and the forecast change in rates over the next 10 years. Council debt Capital expenditure, including a breakdown by activity class such as roading and water services. Balanced budget – to show whether the Council is actually coping with the rates that come in with the money it has or having to borrow to sustain itself. Road conditions – so ratepayers can compare the state of their local roads with councils across the country. Local Government Minister Simon Watts says communities can now compare how much their council spends on core essentials like infrastructure and see whether their rates are going up more than average. We have been clear, says Simon Watts, that we want to see councils get back to basics, focusing on delivering essential services and infrastructure, improving local decision making, and supporting their communities through the cost of living, not adding to it. He's also introducing a bill to remove four well-being provisions: social, economic, environmental, and cultural. They were reintroduced by Labour in 2019 after being removed by the previous National government in 2012, who removed them after Labour introduced them in 2002. So there's been a bit of political ping pong going on there. It will also impose a requirement on councils to prioritise core services when managing finances and setting rates. The threat of a rates cap too is ever present. If you don't stop increasing rates, then we will put a cap on you, the central government has said to local, so that you can't just hoick up the rates to pay your bills. Simon Watts points to rates caps in NSW and Victoria and says the same could happen here. I'm not sure that is the answer, not without accepting a massive loss in services, but how on Earth do you manage to budget when your rates rise well beyond inflation? What options do you have? There's a story in today's New Zealand Herald of a rates rise of 72% for one family in Orewa. That's because they're living on land that's ripe for development, except, of course it's not, because WaterCare is not issuing any resource consents, because there simply isn't the infrastructure to sustain any more development. So they're facing a huge hike in their rates because of the value of the land, but the value of the land can't be realised. So how on Earth do you cope with the 72% rise in rates? How do you manage? Do you sell the property because you simply can't afford the rates? Do you apply for rates relief? Do you just not pay it? For a long time, those who have bothered to vote in local body elections have voted for councillors who promise there'll be no rates rises, which means that a lot of the work that councils are doing has been delayed. They haven't had the money because homeowners, ratepayers, have elected councillors that have promised there will be no rates rises. But all that's doing is delaying the inevitable. In part, we have brought this on ourselves. You vote for people who aren't going to increase rates, you don't bother to vote. You don't bother to stand for council. When I say you, I mean we. So in part, we've brought this on ourselves. And because there haven't been the cheques and balances to monitor the spending, irresponsible councils have been able to do exactly as they wish - vanity projects wasteful spending. And those within the infrastructure of Council too have spent like drunken sailors. I would very much like to hear from those of you who have received your rates bill. Around the country, we've seen massive increases. Are you getting value for money from your Council? And what on Earth can you do about it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All the rain hammering the North Island for the past months has filled Auckland's water supply dams to 100 percent, the first time since 2023. Watercare head of water Sharon Danks spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A North Shore woman says she's stressed out and being kept awake at night after getting an eight hundred dollar bill from Watercare, because its smart meter clapped out. The latest bill claims the Browns Bay couple used an average of 4342 litres of water per day. Added to the couples other catch up bill, they now owe Watercare more than 12 hundred dollars. Following a Checkpoint investigation Watercare revealed thirteen thousand of its smart meters have malfunctioned, and need to be replaced. As a consequence customers have been charged incorrectly and after getting zero use bills are now facing big catch up accounts. Watercare customer Lizzie spoke to Lisa Owen.

27-year-old Auckland engineer Shyamal Shah has been sentenced to two years, two months imprisonment for what is believed to be one of the largest public sector thefts on record – a 17-month scheme in which he managed to swindle roughly $1 million from his employer, Watercare. The court was told yesterday that the theft and deception came about through Shah's gambling addiction that started at Sky City Casino, then escalated after three men approached him and invited him to a residence where private games were being held. It was a racket where addicts were targeted and given a significant line of credit before payment is demanded, often through coercion. I mean, if we've ever seen any Good Fellas type movies, you've seen it before. In Shah's case, the court was told the defendant was shown photos of another man who had been violently assaulted after they didn't pay. So he was hooked, he was reeled in, and he turned a promising career in a promising life into a complete and utter train wreck. He will go to jail, his parents, who had taken a gamble and backed that their son was going to be an exemplary citizen, are financially ruining themselves to try and pay back as much of the money as they possibly can. This is what a gambling addict looks like, and it comes at the same time as the nation's independent gambling regulator, the Gambling Commission, has issued a damning report into the Ministry of Health's problem gambling section, saying it is impossible to judge whether the services actually reduce gambling harm. The report recommended Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and Internal Affairs Minister Brook van Velden reject the Ministry of Health request to increase a levy from $76 million to $92 million over the next three years. The levy comes from the gambling industry, which makes sense. A lot of people can gamble and just have, you know, $5 on the nose of a horse, a pretty chestnut at Race 9 at Te Rapa, but others can't, so the industry helps fund problem gamblers, helps fund assistance and help for problem gamblers. But the Commission's expert reviewer Doctor David Rees said when it came to the money that has been given to the Ministry of Health to help problem gamblers, we don't know if it's enough. We don't know if it's too much. And that's a point made by a number of people. There's a lack of data, a lack of understanding, we don't know what's working, and we don't know what's not working. Sounds like my hero, the Auditor General John Ryan. He said, I don't know this money's been well spent, there's no track of it, no record of. So same again, the Ministry of Health gets millions of dollars from the gambling industry to help problem gamblers, does it work? Dunno! Ddn't really know. Matt Doocey said it's not good enough, symptomatic of what happened under the last Government. Doocey said in mental health and addiction services, increased funding had led to no material difference. And it's true, that's exactly what happened under the last Government. We're seeing lots of ads for the TAB right now: “You know the odds, now beat them”. In the pregame build up before the All Blacks there's always a punters report: what the totes paying for which player to score the first try. You can bet on anything and it's being very, very normalised. As with every addict across every addiction, you start off thinking it's a bit of harmless fun, think you can handle it until you can't, until you've found yourself like Shyamal Shah, in the dock with your promising life and career absolutely ruined. All addicts need help to get the monkeys off their back, but just throwing money to the Ministry of Health and thinking there we go job done, is not good enough. They have to show that the millions of dollars they have been granted have done some good. And this hasn't come out of the blue. In 2019, they were asked to account for the money. They didn't. In 2022, they were told to carry out a major strategic review of its problem gambling strategy and they didn't. And then they had the temerity to come back and ask for more money. Can we have another $11 million? No. If you want $92 million, then you have to show what you're spending it on, not just for the sake of the money and for the sake of proper accounting, but for the sake of the addicts. It's so hard for addicts to know they have a problem before it's too late. I'm talking about any addiction. And when you reach out for help, you need that help to be there. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of oyster farmers north of Auckland have been in a seven-year battle with Watercare to stop sewage overflowing into the Mahurangi Harbour. Victor Waters reports.

Oyster farmers north of Auckland have not been able to harvest this year because of pollution in the Mahurangi Harbour from a wastewater overflow in nearby Warkworth. Watercare chief executive Jamie Sinclair spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Auckland Council and its water arm Watercare seperate financially, but with it comes a 7.2% price hike in water bills for Aucklanders. Watercare's chief executive Jamie Sinclair spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The watchdog that settles disputes about essential services like electricity and gas believes it should be mandatory for water suppliers to sign up to the scheme. Utilities Disputes is an independent disputes resolution service; its compulsory for gas and electricity companies and broadband installers to be part of the scheme. But it's voluntary for water suppliers. It comes after Checkpoint revealed 13,000 Watercare smart meters are not working properly, leaving some customers struggling to pay big catch-up bills and frustrated by Watercare's service. Watercare is a voluntary member of Utilities Disputes, which means it has to refer any complaints to the service, customers can't make complaints directly. Utilities Disputes Commissioner Neil Mallon spoke to Lisa Owen.

A huge catch-up bill has left one Watercare customer stressed out and "pissed off' and she says the problem is still not fixed. Checkpoint has revealed that more than 13 thousand Watercare smart meters are not working properly. It means customers have been gettting zero use bills; bills that claim they havent used a single drop of water in a month or in some cases months. Watercare said the problem is specific to a particular smart meters. They have installed about 40,000 of them since 2022, and there's a fault with about a third of them. Watercare chief financial officer Angela Neeson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some Aucklanders have received Watercare bills that claim they have not used a single drop of water in the past month, or in some cases for months, no showers had, no toilets flushed, no house plant watered, no kettles filled; nothing. Online forums confused customers are asking about receiving zero use bills, others say they've had enormous catch-up accounts months after getting zero bills, all due to Watercare's smart metres. Checkpoint spoke to a few customers.

North Auckland oyster farmers have been hit with a wave of uncertainty. Norovirus has been found in the Mahurangi River where the shellfish are grown, resulting in contaminated product and closures until further notice. They're blaming Watercare and Auckland Council, claiming they let sewage flows get out of control before infrastructure could catch up. Watercare says a new pipeline should be completed in 2028. Matakana Oysters co-owner Tom Walters told Mike Hosking it's too little too late for many of the businesses, who have been begging for measures to be introduced for years. He says there's been no accountability from Watercare or the council, or compensation after the growth and development of the area cost them their farms and livelihoods. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Constraints on Auckland's water infrastructure could push up prices in the city's central suburbs. That is the warning from one economist as demand is increasing for land that is not affected by limitations to Auckland's water network. Last year, Watercare released a map revealing many areas of Auckland with water or wastewater restrictions, meaning new builds in those areas may not be able to connect to the water network until necessary upgrades are complete. Luka Forman has more.

Auckland has experienced it's driest March for 15 years and there's a warning that mandatory water restrictions could be implemented as soon as June if the rain stays away. Watercare head of water Sharon Danks spoke to Corin Dann.

Watercare's tunnel boring machine has completed a four-year journey, breaking through this morning. The development comes as Watercare has announced a $14 billion investment to renew ageing and failing pipes over the next decade. Meanwhile, Auckland water charges will rise by 7.2% from July as Watercare becomes financially independent. Incoming Watercare CEO Jamie Sinclair talks to Ryan Bridge about what the investment means. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's water provider plans to spend over 13 billion dollars fixing the city's water infrastructure but households can expect to pay more for the upgrade. Watercare said it will embark on 1000 infrastructure projects over the next ten years in an effort to make the city's water network fit for purpose. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Aucklanders' water bills are set to increase as Watercare prepares to become financially independent and spend billions of dollars improving the city's water services. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Hibiscus Coast developers have been left "flabbergasted" by a Watercare decision that means their new builds can not be connected to the wastwater network. Late last year, Watercare announced that any development in the area not consented by the 15th of November won't be able to connect to the network until the Army Bay treatment plant is upgraded. That work is not scheduled to be completed until 2031. It has left property developers in the lurch they say Watercare has failed to do its job and that its decision willl stifle development in the area. Luka Forman has more.

Aucklanders are being warned to go easy on the long showers and car washes as the city begins to 'prepare for drought'. Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne spoke to Corin Dann.

Water is slowly being restored to nearly 3000 homes in West Auckland after a large water main burst yesterday, cutting supply. Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne spoke to Paddy Gower.

In this episode, we discuss Watercare's new rules that will make Auckland's housing crisis so much worse. We share the new rules that will stop developers building more houses in Auckland. And the impact it will have on property investors, renters and homeowners generally. For more from Opes Partners: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 28 November 2024, the first part of the Royal Commission into the Covid response has criticised vaccine mandates and the length of the lockdowns. Heather asks Chris Hipkins, former Health Minister, whether he thinks he should apologise for decisions made. Watercare's Mark Bourne with an update on the arsenic levels in the Waikato River, and why it took so long to tell the public about elevated levels. Plus the Huddle debates why we just don't seem to like fake meat, after plant-based food producer Sustainable Foods goes into liquidation. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Test results reveal drinking water in Waipā and Waikato District has slightly elevated arsenic levels - and Auckland's supply is back within safe levels. Auckland's Watercare and Hamilton City Council yesterday revealed levels were fractionally above the maximum amount in recent samples from Waikato River. Watercare's Chief Operations Manager Mark Bourne says they're tracking down the cause. "We've been able to share our results with the other agencies further up the river - and that'll help identify where, when and what might be causing this." Watercare says tap water is still safe to drink. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elevated levels of arsenic have been detected in the Waikato River, affecting water supplies in Auckland and Waikato. The Government has been briefed this evening and sought assurances that water supplies are safe. Authorities are carrying out further testing with results due back tomorrow. Watercare is also rejigging the way it processes water to reduce the amount of arsenic in the city's water supply but said there was no immediate concern to public health. Steve Taylor, head of operations at Water Services Authority (WSA), told Newstalk ZB there had been increased levels of arsenic recorded in the Waikato River, affecting water supplies in Auckland and Hamilton. He said there was “naturally a level of arsenic” in the river, but it had been notified levels had increased recently. “I'm not sure what the reason for that increase is and that is affecting water supplies in Auckland and Hamilton,” he said. He explained the maximum acceptable value for arsenic is 0.01mg a litre – an “incredibly low amount” – but they had seen levels around 0.013mg, which is “marginally above the acceptable value for drinking water”. “The level of arsenic is above what we've described as a maximum acceptable value, but it's not at a level that we would suggest has a significant health effect. “There's no health risk in drinking that water,” Taylor said. “What we would expect is that those levels of arsenic would reduce over time.” Elevated readings of arsenic have been recorded in the Waikato River. Photo / Waikato District Council. Taylor said it is safe for people to keep drinking tap water. “The key thing about the maximum acceptable value for arsenic is it's designed for long-term exposure, so it's not an acute level. ”Unlike some other levels, you know, if you exceed that level, it has an immediate health effect – that's not the case with these levels.” Taylor said the WSA was only notified of the elevated levels on Wednesday and it had been “a very short-term situation”. ”We've contacted the [Waikato] regional council to try and understand what is the reason for this change in source water,” he said. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has been briefed on the issue this evening. Photo / Mark Mitchell Local Government Minister Simeon Brown said he had been briefed on the issue by the WSA this evening. “I have asked the WSA to ensure that water suppliers in Auckland and Hamilton are taking appropriate steps, and that they communicate with their customers,” Brown said. “The WSA is the lead agency for this issue and will be providing regular updates.” Watercare reduces production at Waikato Water Treatment Plant The Herald repeatedly sought comment from Watercare this afternoon and it responded shortly before 8pm, saying it had reduced production at its Waikato Water Treatment Plant since detecting the elevated result. Watercare CEO Mark Bourne said the Waikato River supplies about 20% of Auckland's drinking water. ”We treat the water at our Waikato Water Treatment Plant in Tūākau and distribute it throughout the metropolitan network. ”In most parts of Auckland, treated water from the Waikato River is blended with treated water from our dams. However, Pukekohe, Buckland, Clarks Beach/Waiau Pā, Patumahoe, Glenbrook Beach, and Drury south receive water solely sourced from the Waikato River.” Bourne said Watercare had increased production at its major Ardmore plant, which treats water from four dams in the Hūnua Ranges. “This extends the processing time at the plant, and we expect it to improve our ability to reduce the level of arsenic in the treated drinking water. “We're working closely with other agencies and will continue to share information as we learn more.” The current minor exceedance of the standards does not present any immediate concern for public health, Watercare said. A Waikato District Council spokesperson said Watercare operates the local water networks in the area under contract. “Pōkeno and Tūākau are supplied by Watercare's Waikato Water Treatment Plant. There are also treatment plants that serve the townships of Huntly, Te Kauwhata, Meremere, Taupiri and Ngāruawāhia.” The spokesperson said samples from these plants were being tested, with results due tomorrow. Hamilton City Council's water supply remained safe for drinking, bathing, cleaning and cooking, following test results that showed small increases in the level of arsenic present. What is arsenic? The Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website describes arsenic as a substance found in rock, which in some situations “harms your health”. It commonly enters the body in food and water and people can swallow small amounts every day for a long time without any obvious health effects. But swallowing larger amounts may cause long-term health effects, arsenic poisoning or death. Someone with arsenic poisoning may suffer from: Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Extreme tiredness and bruising. An abnormal heartbeat. A “pins and needles” feeling in the hands and feet. Arsenic can not be removed from water by boiling it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing concerns that a lack of water infrastructure will slow down housing developments planned for parts of Auckland. On the Hibiscus Coast anyone without resource consent may have to wait until 2031 for a wastewater connection. The Army Bay treatment plant upgrade is not expected to be completed until 2031. Andrew Crosby of Xpect Property Limited says it's 'shocking' how much of Auckland has no water or wastewater capacity. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watercare is under fire for keeping a $20 million deal with Waikato-Tainui under wraps. It's been revealed the Auckland Council-controlled water provider last year signed up to paying $1 million a year, for two decades. The money will go into research and environmental projects in the Waikato River and catchment. It's on top of $40 million paid for clean-up projects under Watercare's river-consent agreement. Watercare chief executive Dave Chambers says they could've been more open. "As things have unfolded today - certainly if we had our time again, we would have done things in a different way."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 5 September 2024, Stacey Morrison speaks to Heather from Tūrangawaewae after a new Māori Queen was crowned. What do we know about the 27-year old and what will she bring to the role? Watercare boss Dave Chambers fronts up after it was revealed that Watercare agreed to a secret deal to pay a Waikato iwi $20m. Prime Minister Chris Luxon calls in from South Korea where he saw North Korean rubbish balloons sent over the border. Plus, the Huddle debates whether Wellington Council was out of its mind to spend $136,000 on a new bike rack. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett and former Labour Party advisor Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Watercare struck a $20 million dollar deal with Waikato-Tainui in exchange for permission to take more water from the Waikato River - and kept it secret. What do we make of this? Wellington ratepayers recently shelled out over $550,000 on the upgrade of a 32m laneway to accommodate a new designer bike rack and two extra motorbike parks - with the bike rack alone costing $136,000. How can the council justify this? Raygun has spoken out about the backlash she received after the Olympics - do we feel sorry for her because of how she was treated or do we think she's taking advantage of the attention? LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Thursday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Especially Debt/Everything Is Actually Getting Better/How Woolworths Made Nothing/Ah, Watercare/The Endorsement You Don't WantSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watercare has revealed that 90 trucks a week are carrying waste from 300 homes in a new subdivision because they do not have adequate sewage connections.

Hundreds of brand new homes in the Cardinal West development near the Auckland suburb of Massey have not been hooked up to a permanent sewage system. Instead the waste from 341 households is being pumped to temporary tanks, before being trucked away. But the council's getting complaints about the smell. Watercare said the tank system is an interim measure, until permanent waste water infrastructure is established. That was supposed happen this year, but the new completion date is now late 2025, Henderson-Massey Local Board chairman Chris Carter speaks to Lisa Owen.

Dim makes a return to Second Guessing, taking out this week's win. On Isthmus'n That with Desley Simpson, Rachel speaks to the Deputy Mayor about Watercare's separation from Auckland Council and reduction of public bins around the city. Anna Coddington is in the studio to have a korero about her new single Kātuarehe from her forthcoming album, out in June. Robbie Nicol and Rhiannon McCall are on Stage Direction to talk about their respective Comedy Festival shows. On Ready Steady Learn, Kate Kersey from the School of Population Health is in to talk about her research into alcohol consumption demographics. Whakarongo mai nei!

Rachel speaks to the Deputy Mayor about Watercare's separation from Auckland Council and reduction of public bins around the city.

The Government has made a deal with Auckland Council as part of its Local Water Done Well reforms.  The deal saves Aucklanders from Watercare's proposed 25.8 percent rates increase. Watercare will be able to borrow $1.9 billion over the next ten years for long-term investment in water infrastructure.   Local Government Minister Simeon Brown tells Mike Hosking similar actions will be taken regionally, with councils required to put forward their water service delivery plans.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour party Caeden chats to Priyanca Radhakrishnan about funding cuts to disability caregivers and job cuts at the Department of Conservation. For City Counselling they also speak to Councillor Shane Henderson about Watercare signalling an increase in Water Rates, and a boost in funding for arts in Tāmaki Makaurau. Caeden also speaks to Lola Fisher about the disestablishment of the Whanganui Youth Council. And they speak to Professor Ralph Cooney for the University of Auckland about the importance of communicating Climate Change to the community. Jasmine speaks with Devonport-Takapuna local board Chair Toni Van Tonder about their upcoming Youth Seat trial and the importance of youth inclusion and engagement in local government. And she speaks with Research Fellow Marnie Prickett about the Public Health Communication Centre of Aotearoa's submission against the fast-track approvals bill ahead of opportunities for feedback on the legislation formally closing tomorrow.

Watercare has signalled a potential rates increase for Aucklanders this year, while council balances needing funding for infrastructure in a cost of living crisis. Council has also approved a $1 million dollar funding boost to Arts and Culture, which could have significant benefits to local communities. For City Counselling Wire Host Caeden asks Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson about both these topics.

Aucklanders can now have their say on a potential rates hike of up to 14 percent with the Council voting on Tuesday in favour of a 10-year budget document being shared with everyone. A large portion of the rate rise will come from increased Watercare charges following the government's announcement that it will repeal the Three Waters legislation. Auckland councillor Shane Henderson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.