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Kia ora J Wilson,

Thank you for your email. We acknowledge receipt of your OIA request below.

We will respond as soon as possible and no later than 12 February 2024, being 20 working days after the day your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

Ngā mihi,
Melissa

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Kia ora J Wilson

I refer to your OIA request dated 21 December 2023 for information on the level of chemicals, heavy metals and other in New Zealand water, soil and air.

We have transferred part of your request to Manaaki Whenua. Part of the information to which your request relates to soil. This information is not held by us but is believed to be more closely connected with the functions of Manaaki Whenua.

You will hear further from Manaaki Whenua concerning this part of your request.

Kind regards,
Melissa Bray

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Kia ora J Wilson

I refer to your OIA request dated 21 December 2023 for information on levels of chemicals, heavy metals and other in New Zealand water, soil and air. We have extracted questions from your request and we respond as follows.

1. a. What chemicals and metals can be found in New Zealand water - in reservoirs, lakes, streams, rivers, the sea?

NIWA does not maintain such records. Regional councils are required by the Environmental Reporting Act 2015 to monitor chemicals and metals in New Zealand water. Regional Council data is collected and summarised here: https://www.lawa.org.nz/ The original data can be downloaded from LAWA.

b. What are their levels in the past five years?

N/A.

c. Do different bodies of water in New Zealand have different levels of metals and chemicals? Please can you detail regional differences.

See above. Note that the Ministry for the Environment reports on the state of the environment for each domain, including comparisons of water quality.

d. Are there any micro-plastics or nanoparticles found in the water?

N/A.

e. If so what are they and what are their levels over the past five years?

N/A.

f. And if so, where do these items come from?

N/A.

2. a. What chemicals and metals can be found in New Zealand soil?
b. What are their levels in the past five years?
c. Do different bodies soil in New Zealand have different levels of metals and chemicals? Please can you detail regional differences.
d. Are there any micro-plastics or nanoparticles found in the soil?
e. If so what are they and what are their levels over the past five years?
f. And if so, where do these items come from?

We have transferred this part of your request to Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, as advised to you on 15 January 2024. This information is more closely connected with the functions of Manaaki Whenua.

3. a. What chemicals and metals can be found in New Zealand air?

NIWA does not maintain such records.

b. What are their levels in the past five years?

N/A

c. Are there any micro-plastics or nanoparticles found in the air?

N/A.

d. If so what are they and what are their levels over the past five years?

N/A

e. And if so, where do these items come from?

N/A.

Please note, under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.

Kind regards,
Melissa

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Dear J Wilson,

 

Please find attached our response to your OIA request which was partially
transferred to us by NIWA.

 

Ngā mihi,

Christopher O’Brien
Legal Counsel / Kaitohutohu ā‐Ture 
Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research

 

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