Government inquiry into Havelock North water contamination to start this week

The Government inquiry into the Havelock North water contamination has been established.PHOTO/FILE

A Government inquiry into the Havelock North water contamination will begin this week.

Today, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced that retired Court of Appeal judge, the Honourable Lyn Stevens QC, will chair an independent inquiry into the Havelock North water supply contamination incident.

Justice Stevens would be joined on the panel by NZQA CEO and former Director-General of Health, Dr Karen Poutasi CNZM, and local government and engineering expert, Anthony Wilson.

"The members of the inquiry panel have the extensive legal, public health, local government and water management expertise required to conduct an inquiry of this nature," Mr Finlayson said.

The Inquiry will commence this week and report back by 31 March 2017.

Under the final terms of reference, the inquiry will focus on how the water supply system became contaminated, and how this was addressed.

It would also examine how local and central government agencies responded to the public health outbreak that occurred as a result of the contamination, how to reduce the risk of outbreaks of this nature recurring.

It will also consider any necessary changes to prevent or minimise similar incidents in the future.

The Inquiry will conduct an initial sitting in Hawke's Bay in the coming weeks.