133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
13 December 2023
T+64 4 496 2000
Chris Johnston
By email: [FYI request #24923 email]
Ref:
H2023033244
Tēnā koe Chris
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to Manatū Hauora
(the Ministry of Health) on 28 November 2023 for information regarding Watercare. Your
request stated:
“Please supply any document that il ustrates that the Ministry of Health:
a) Has a direct contract with myself or people such as myself, or
b) Is a joint contractual partner in my contract with Watercare.
Please supply any document that shows that the Ministry of Health has a regulatory
relationship with Watercare with respect to the water supply contract I am a part of.
Please quote the basis of this regulatory power - eg the relevant Act, Order in Council,
regulation etc.
Please supply any document that shows that the Ministry of Health has a regulatory
relationship with myself with respect to the water supply contract I am a part of with
Watercare. Please quote the basis of this regulatory power - eg the relevant Act, Order in
Council, regulation etc.”
Your request is refused in full under section 18(g)(i) of the Act, as the information is not held by
the Ministry or any other agency subject to the Act.
It is important to note that Manatū Hauora is not aware of any contracts you may hold with
Watercare.
Manatū Hauora was the regulator for drinking water and had a relationship with Watercare up
until 15 November 2021. This was not a contractual relationship however Watercare had a duty
to comply with part 2A of the Health Act 1956 (now repealed) and the Drinking Water Standards
for New Zealand that were in place at that time. The regulation of drinking water transferred to
Taumata Arowai on 15 November 2021.
You may be interested in further information regarding the legislation and drinking water
standards, which can be found in the following pieces of legislation:
• Health Act 1956:
www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1956/0065/latest/whole.html
• Taumata Arowai–the Water Services Regulator Act 2020:
www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/0052/latest/whole.html
• Water Services (Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand) Regulations 2022
•
www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2022/0168/latest/whole.html.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel
free to contact the OIA Services Team on:
[email address].
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Manatū Hauora website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-
official-information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Jane Chambers
Group Manager, Public Health Policy and Regulation
Public Health Agency | Te Pou Hauora Tūmatanui
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