NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 81 — 15 SEPTEMBER 2016

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Board of Trustees Election Extension Omarama School (3789)

Pursuant to clause 9(2) of the Sixth Schedule to the Education Act 1989 and acting with authority delegated by the Minister of Education, I hereby extend the period for closing the poll and all subsequent actions in accordance with the Education (School Trustee Elections) Regulations 2000 for the election of staff representative(s) for:

Omarama School (3789).

The elections must be held by 7 October 2016.

This notice takes effect on the day of publication in the New Zealand Gazette.

Dated at Wellington this 12th day of September 2016.

JIM GREENING, Group Manager, Schools and Student Support, Sector Enablement and Support, Ministry of Education.

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Establishment of the Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking-Water

Pursuant to section 6(3) of the Inquiries Act 2013, I, The Honourable Christopher Finlayson, Attorney-General, hereby establish the Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking-Water ("Inquiry").

Membership

The following persons are appointed to be members of the Inquiry:

• The Honourable Justice Lynton Laurence Stevens, QC (chairperson);
• Dr Karen Olive Poutasi, CNZM (member); and
• Anthony Edwin Wilson (member).

Terms of Reference

Background and Matter of Public Importance

On or about 12 August 2016 Hastings District Council and the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board became aware of a widespread situation of gastroenteritis in Havelock North. Due to the nature of the outbreak and the receipt of an initial "positive presence" test for E. coli in the water supply, suspicion fell on the Havelock North water supply. Subsequent analysis confirmed the presence of E. coli in the water supply, and sample testing through the health system led Council and District Health Board staff to suspect that Campylobacter was the primary infectious agent.

As of 21 August 2016, there had been 168 confirmed cases and 355 suspected cases of campylobacteriosis, with current estimates suggesting that approximately 4,500 people have been affected. The length of the incubation period (up to ten days) and secondary spread mean that further cases are still being reported despite chlorination of the tap and tanker-provided water, and the ongoing advice to boil tap water. Gastrointestinal illness caused by microorganisms with longer incubation periods (eg cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis) may also start to be reported. In addition, about 1% of people with campylobacteriosis (approximately 40 people) may develop reactive arthritis and 0.1% may develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (approximately three to six people). The testing of the Havelock North bores continues to show faecal contamination and the District Council is considering the options for restoring a safe supply of drinking-water to Havelock North.

Drinking-water supplies across New Zealand rely on different methods of take and treatment, depending on the nature and security of the water source. Drinking-water supplies are regulated under the Health Act 1956 and the source of drinking-water is regulated under the Resource Management Act 1991 and National Environmental Standards for sources of drinking-water. The National Environmental Standards are given effect to by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. New Zealanders expect that water reticulated to their homes and businesses for drinking purposes will be safe to consume and use. The Havelock North water contamination incident risks damaging public confidence in local drinking-water supplies.

This Inquiry is about determining the cause of the current contamination in Havelock North, whether relevant parties complied with their obligations, how local and central government agencies responded to the public health situation that occurred as a result of the contamination, and how to prevent future such occurrences.

The Inquiry will also consider the potential for similar situations to occur in other New Zealand water supplies and