22 January 2026
Percy Doyle
[FYI request #32704 email]
Kia ora Percy
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-045579 Thank you for your email of 17 January 2026, asking for the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
Thank you for the general justification provided in why ACC has accepted this case.
Hopefully others can use this as support for "unidentified poisoning" in the future.
The justification provided appears suitable for covering the Havelock North water
contamination cases. Could you please advise if the same "Under section 25(1)(ba) of the
Accident Compensation Act 2001 (the AC Act)" that you quote would be suitable for approving
the Havelock North water contamination cases.
Our response
In 2024, we provided you with information about the Havelock North water contamination cases.
Please refer to those responses at the following links:
•
https://fyi.org.nz/request/26049-copy-of-legal-advice-acc-received-on-the-havelock-north-
campylobacter-cases#incoming-98428 (Response dated 27 March 2024, our reference: GOV-
031063). Also see the ‘ACC’s approach to considering claims for cover for ingestion or
inhalation of a virus, bacterium, protozoan or fungus’ attachment which includes information
about the Havelock North cases.
•
https://fyi.org.nz/request/25676-legislative-consideration-of-approving-cover-for-
illness#outgoing-42710 (Two responses which are dated 1 March 2024, our ref: GOV-030428
and 27 March 2024, our ref: GOV-031062). The 27 March response stated that no claims
concerning the Havelock North water contamination incident were approved for cover.
If you have any questions about this response, please get in touch You can email me at
[email address].
GOV-045579 Page 1 of 2
If you are not happy with this response, you can also contact the Ombudsman via
[email address] or by phoning 0800 802 602. Information about how to make a
complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Ngā mihi
Christopher Johnston
Manager Official Information Act Services Government Engagement
GOV-045579 Page 2 of 2
