Podcasts about watercare

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.

Watercare's seven year Central Interceptor project is over halfway complete. The aim of the project is to reduce water overflow in the central Auckland area with the construction of New Zealand's largest wastewater tunnel. The team is about to hit the penultimate breakthrough before arriving at Point Erin Reserve in Herne Bay in March/April of 2025. Watercare Chief Programme Delivery Officer Shayne Cunis told Kerre Woodham that Auckland is going to get a lifetime of benefits from the project. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, predictable reports of shark sightings signalled the start of the summer silly season. And with water running out in the capital, and a controversial campaign from Auckland's Watercare, even the culture wars didn't run out of steam over the holidays.    

Auckland utility company Watercare has found itself in hot water on social media, after using an offensive stereotype of women to promote water conservation. The post, shared on both Facebook and X - reads: "ladies, we're all for showering in a fiery inferno, but 27 percent of your power bill is used to heat water. So, let's keep it snappy to keep your wallet happy! One shower, four minutes - it's all you need." The post is part of Watercare's 'Make Every Drop Count' campaign. Social media commentator and head of audience at the Spinoff, Anna Rawhiti-Connell, spoke to Charlotte Cook.

It's shaping up to be a hot dry summer in the City of Sails and Aucklanders are being urged to be mindful of their water use. With the El Niño climate pattern upon us, there's confidence from weather forecasters that warmer and drier conditions lie ahead. With that in mind Watercare is appealing to residents to be selective about how much water they use. Water demand in Auckland usually skyrockets on hot dry days. Watercare head of production Peter Rogers talks to Kathryn about the various ways people can be careful about their water use.

Just weeks after hundreds of millions of litres of sewage poured into the Waitemata harbour, Aucklanders are heading back to the beach. The overflow was caused by a sinkhole which opened up at the back of Parnell property, blocking the Orakei Main sewer and pumping effluent into the harbour. Some of city's most popular inner-city beaches that were off-limits during the overflow event have now got the green tick from Safeswim and are back open. As Auckland heads into another weekend of brilliant sunshine, many will be checking the Safeswim app and grabbing their goggles, but others might not feel so confident. Kathryn speaks to Nathaniel Wilson, Watercare's environmental care manager, and Auckland Council's Healthy Waters head of planning Nick Vigar.

A bypass for a damaged sewer main in the Auckland suburb of Parnell has finally been installed. The 2.1 metre wide main collapsed three weeks ago, creating a 13 metre deep sinkhole and sending hundreds of litres of wastewater flowing into the Waitematā Harbour every second. Watercare crews have since created a 400-metre long above-ground bypass pipe, and installed six pumps, to skip the broken section. Watercare's head of service delivery Sharon Banks spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

It's being called Auckland's worst pollution event in nearly 50 years. It's two weeks since a massive sewer line collapsed in Auckland, leaving hundreds of litres of human waste pouring into the inner harbour every second. Kathryn is joined by Watercare's head of service delivery Sharon Danks to talk about the bypass solution that could be in place in a week - will be a complete fix to the sewage overflow? Also marine scientist Dr Andrew Jeffs from Auckland University on the long term damage being done to the environment and how long it'll take before water quality improves.

Crews are aiming to begin laying down a temporary pipe in Auckland Monday morning to bypass a blocked sewerage pipe. Tonnes of debris has been removed from the blocked pipe where a thirteen-metre-deep sinkhole opened up a week ago. Hundreds of litres of sewage has been pumping into the Waitemata Harbour since then, leaving all inner city beaches closed. Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The fallout from Auckland's giant sinkhole continues, forcing the cancellation of weekend events and school holiday programmes across the Waitemata Harbour. It comes as hundreds of litres of sewage continues to flow into the sea after persistent wet weather caused a giant sinkhole to block a sewerage pipe with debris in the suburb of Parnell. The sinkhole is the size of a tennis court and 13 metres deep. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has now imposed a rahui across the Waitematā and Watercare has deemed all inner-city beaches unsafe to swim. Jordan Dunn has the latest

Auckland's deputy mayor says more pipeline issues are expected in Parnell because of the intense wet weather. Earlier in the week, a main sewer line below a private property on St Georges Bay Rd collapsed, causing a tennis-court sized hole to open up, with wastewater overflow pouring into the harbour and closing several beaches. It's expected to be ten days before the sewage flow can be stopped. This is the third such collapse affecting water pipes in Auckland in recent months. Watercare's chief operations officer Mark Bourne tells Kathryn the the repair is likely to be the largest wastewater bypass solution that's ever been put in place in New Zealand. She also speaks with Cheryl Adamson, General Manager of the Parnell Business Association.

Iwi and residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with Auckland's failing infrastructure, as contamination from a burst sewer pipe closes inner-city beaches for more than 10 days.  Sewage has been spilling into the ocean after a main sewer line collapsed this week, causing massive sinkhole in the upmarket suburb of Parnell. Watercare is trying to work out where exactly the sewage is ending up and all beaches in the Waitematā Harbour are deemed unsafe for swimming and fishing in the meantime. As Jordan Dunn reports, Ngarimu Blair, from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, is not impressed.

Aucklanders are being warned to stay out of the ocean after the collapse of a major central city sewage pipe which contaminated CBD beaches. A sink hole, at least thirteen metres deep opened up at the back of Parnell property on St Georges Bay road on Monday, compromising the Orakei Main sewer. The brick pipe is more than two metres wide and serves large parts of central and west auckland. And the top of the wastewate pipe has collapsed . Watercare crews work thrugh the night trying to stablise the ground, but the situation's got worse and the sewer is completely blocked. Joining us now is Watercare's chief operations officer Mark Bourne. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6337897787112

Watercare crew in Auckland have been working through Wednesday night to clear a blocked sewer main and stop raw sewage from pouring into the supercity's harbour. It happened after part of the pipe collapsed leaving a massive 13-metre-deep sink hole on a private property in Parnell. Dozens of beaches in the inner city have been closed for swimming, and as Jordan Dunn reports some local businesses have also taken a hit.

Crews have worked through Wednesday night blasting water into a blocked sewer main at the bottom of a 13-metre sinkhole in Auckland.  Despite initial success clearing soil and debris from the pipe around 1am, by daylight, the sewer was blocked again.  That meant large volumes of untreated wastewater from central and west Auckland have gone straight into the Waitematā Harbour contaminating inner-city beaches. Watercare estimates the 2.1 metre diameter brick pipe is about 112-years old.    Watercare chief of operations Mark Bourne spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Deputy Mayor speaks to Rachel about Watercare plans for Muriwai, Mayor Brown's manifesto document being published, and celebrations around the CBD soon. Whakarongo mai nei!

A hearty round of Second Guessing is won by Andrew, who guesses a Talking Heads tune. On Isthmus'n That with Desley Simpson, the Deputy Mayor speaks to Rachel about Watercare plans for Muriwai, Mayor Brown's manifesto document being published, and celebrations around the CBD soon. Princess Chelsea dials in from the States to talk about her upcoming shows in Aotearoa as part of the Everything Is Going To Be Alright Tour. On Stage Direction with Alice Canton, Jill Kwan, director and playwright of How To Throw A Chinese Funeral is in the studio talking about the upcoming work. Ready Steady Learn is with Marilyn Giloux, Senior Lecturer in marketing, who tells Rachel about her research into the use of fear marketing. Whakarongo mai nei!