Government welcomes findings of inquiry into Havelock North water contamination

Attorney General Chris Finlayson said he was pleased the report comprehensively identified the cause of the outbreak. Photo / File

The Government welcomed the findings into the cause of August's Havelock North water contamination released yesterday.

Attorney-General Chris Finlayson said the incident severely affected the town's residents, and he was pleased the report comprehensively identified the cause of the outbreak.

"I am pleased this report comprehensively identifies the causes of the gastroenteritis outbreak and sets out the interim steps which have been taken to improve the safety of Havelock North's drinking-water.

"I thank the Inquiry Panel for its thorough and candid examination of the drinking-water contamination incident and look forward to delivery of Stage 2 of its report."

He said the Government was considering the findings and would respond in due course.

During the outbreak, some questioned why central government had not declared a state of drinking water emergency, with Labour's then deputy leader Annette King even calling out Minister of Health Jonathan Coleman.

Yesterday the Inquiry chairman Hon Lyn Stevens QC said he did not consider the overall circumstances of the outbreak meant such a state of emergency should have been declared.