Science Media Centre

The first stage of the inquiry into Havelock North’s drinking water contamination has been released today. The report found several parties failed to protect the public from contamination in the aquifer — an incident that led to more than 5,000 people in Havelock North becoming infected with campylobacter. While better regulation may not have avoided the […]

As the inquiry into last year’s Havelock North water contamination continues, attention has turned to a defective bore as a possible culprit of the contamination. A campylobacter outbreak in August 2016 struck a third of the Hawke’s Bay town following contamination of the water supply. A Government inquiry is underway, with hearings in Hastings kicking […]

A Government inquiry into the campylobacter outbreak that struck down 5000 Havelock North residents in August has begun. The first public hearing into the outbreak – caused by a contaminated water supply – was held in Hastings on Thursday. Retired Court of Appeal judge Lyn Stevens QC, who is chairing the inquiry, confirmed that the […]

A Government Inquiry will examine the water contamination that left an estimated 4000 Havelock North residents ill with gastroenteritis. The draft terms of reference, released yesterday, specify that the inquiry will look at the cause of contamination and response, but also consider practices and recommendations to prevent future occurrences. The SMC gathered comment on the […]

Thousands of people in Havelock North have been laid low with gastroenteritis in the past week following a contamination of the drinking water supply, thought to be campylobacter. University of Otago professor of public health Michael Baker has been talking to media since Monday about the science behind the outbreak, including a live chat with […]