Havelock North investigation must be truly independent
26 August 2016
Havelock North investigation
must be truly independent
Hawke’s Bay Regional
Council must stand aside and let the Attorney-General lead
an independent investigation into the gastric illness
outbreak at Havelock North to be independent to avoid
conflicts of interest, the Green Party said today.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has announced it will investigate Hastings District Council’s alleged role in the drinking water crisis. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is also the regulator in charge of water quality in the Tukituki River, which is a suspected contaminant in the gastric illness outbreak, although it insists the river is clean.
“Any investigation into the Havelock North gastric illness outbreak must be independent. The Hawke’s Bay community deserves answers, not for their democratically elected councils to circle the wagons and blame each other,” said Green Party water spokesperson Catherine Delahunty.
“The Government needs to lead this inquiry. It should not be investigated by local authorities who have an interest in shifting the blame from themselves.
“Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is responsible for water quality in the Tukituki River and the aquifer that feeds Havelock North’s drinking supply. Any and all investigations into the what caused the gastric illness outbreak must look closely at the Tukituki River and the aquifer.
“Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is also the main backer of the Ruataniwha dam project, which will make the Tukituki River even more susceptible to pollution.
“The impact of the dam is part of the wider issue of how water is used in the Hawke’s Bay, from the river to the tap.
“Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has a clear conflict of interest here, and it’s unhelpful that it has chosen to muddy the waters with their own pre-emptive attempt at an investigation.
“The people of the Hawke’s Bay people want to know what’s caused their community to get sick. They deserve nothing less than a full, frank and independent investigation into what really happened,” said Ms Delahunty.
ends