Seven of eight claims for financial assistance after the 2016 gastro crisis have been declined by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), after it clarified its policy on what a "criminal act" could be defined as.
In August 2016 more than a third of Havelock North's population fell ill after their drinking water supply was contaminated with campylobactor.
ACC had initially declined some claims relating to the campylobactor outbreak, stating they could cover those which met criteria under the Accident Compensation Act. This states the ingestion of bacteria is not considered an accident unless it is the result of a criminal act.
However findings from the Government Inquiry into the outbreak raised hopes it could be argued the failure to protect public health by some agencies was a criminal act.
The inquiry found that several parties with responsibility for supplying water for Havelock North - in particular the Hastings District, and Hawke's Bay Regional councils, and Drinking Water Assessors - failed in their duty to protect public health and prevent such outbreaks.