Gastro outbreak: Bottled water companies challenged

Napier MP Stuart Nash called yesterday for bottled water companies to "step up and provide a couple of truckloads of water to the people of Havelock North" but NZ Miracle Water beat him to the punch.

"There are many people across the Bay who have a sense of disquiet about the fact that these bottled water companies are getting their water for free," Mr Nash said.

"The fact that the residents of Havelock North are now forced to purchase drinking water while these overseas investors are making millions out of our water seems inherently unfair.

"Now is a time for these bottled water companies to show some community spirit and provide water to the people who actually own it: our local community."

The Heretaunga aquifer they used was "'clean and uncontaminated" compared with Te Mata aquifer.

"Time to step up bottled water companies and deliver to those from whom you are actually taking the water in our time of need."

But as he released the statement trucks were already delivering water to all the Havelock North rest homes that accepted the free offer.

NZ Miracle Water chief operating officer Tony Chen said he wanted to help the community, especially the elderly, and the boxed water with taps was an easy way for rest home staff to give out water to elderly residents.