Drinking Water Stories

Kiwi Stories

Drinking Water stories

Nitrate levels in rural Canterbury's groundwater remain a concern

More than half of rural Canterbury wells are showing rising nitrate levels, leaving many households facing ongoing drinking water risks.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Today

Local Government

Selwyn's booming growth delivers $104m surplus

Growth across the district swelled Selwyn's operating surplus and drove debt down to $195.9m, but officials say the figure is not cash.

By Jonathan Leask • 4 min read • Today

Schools

21 schools found with elevated drinking water nitrate levels

The findings raise fresh concerns for children and pregnant women, with levels at 21 mostly rural schools linked to serious health risks.

By Keiller MacDuff • 7 min read • Last week

Local Government

Ashburton councillor warns pay-per-litre water charges 'within five years'

Households in Mid Canterbury could soon face metered water bills, as Ashburton Council warns the proposed charging model may be compulsory within five years.

By Jonathan Leask • 4 min read • Last week

Northland

Tai Tokerau councils tell $1.4b Northland Waters: Put affordability first

Households could face higher bills as Northland's councils push the new water provider to prioritise affordability over investment pressures.

By Susan Botting • 4 min read • Last month

Commerce Commission

Exclusive: Water done well reshapes councils' finances & plans

Councils face around $50 billion of water upgrades over the next decade, as ring-fenced funding finally tackles decades of neglect.

By Mike Bishara • 9 min read • Last month

Water infrastructure

Fate of rural Canterbury water supply on boil notice could be in community hands

Residents in Montalto have six months to devise a takeover plan for their ageing water scheme, after the council delayed some upgrade work.

By Jonathan Leask • 5 min read • Last month

Commerce Commission

Deputy mayor estimates price of fixing Wellington's pipes at $80k per ratepayer over 25 years

Wellington households face mounting pressure as fixing ageing pipes could add more than $80,000 to each ratepayer over 25 years.

By Ellen O'Dwyer • 4 min read • Last month

Local Government

Featherston water race bylaw lapse leaks through policy cracks

Residents and farmers face weaker protection for a 40-kilometre rural water supply after Featherston's bylaw expired two years ago.

By Emily Ireland • 3 min read • Last month

Local Government

Whakatāne hits pause on joint water service consultation

Residents will wait longer for a say on whether Whakatāne should join a four-council water body, after neighbouring councils paused their own plans.

By Diane McCarthy • 3 min read • Last month

Opinion

Water security a step closer for Tararua township

Residents in Pahiatua are set for fewer boil-water scares as Tararua District Council starts a year-long $4 million network upgrade.

By Rebecca Hogan • 2 min read • Last month

Public Sector

Almost $3m in water charges missed across Selwyn

Around 2,700 Selwyn properties may have been underbilled, leaving ratepayers facing up to GBP £1.4 million in water charges.

By Jonathan Leask • 3 min read • Wed, 30th Sep 2026

Public Sector

Napier council head leaving to steer new Hawke's Bay water entity

Household water bills and service delivery will be shaped by Louise Miller's move to lead Hawke's Bay's new regional water entity.

By Linda Hall • 3 min read • Mon, 28th Sep 2026

Risk & Compliance

'Unsettling' dead rat discovery leads to boil water notice in Horowhenua

About 40 households in Mangaore have been told to boil water after two dead rats were found in a reservoir during a routine inspection.

By Rebecca Hogan • 2 min read • Thu, 24th Sep 2026

Disaster Recovery

$6.2m water main project set to disrupt Hastings for 11 months

Central Hastings businesses face parking curbs and possible road closures for nearly a year as a new drinking water trunk main is built.

By Linda Hall • 4 min read • Tue, 15th Sep 2026

Housing

Infrastructure NZ launches election campaign on policy

Voters are being asked to weigh party plans on transport, water and energy as Infrastructure New Zealand pushes infrastructure up the election agenda.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Mon, 14th Sep 2026