Councils around the North Island are assuring residents of the safety of their water supplies following a gastro outbreak in Hawke's Bay.

The latest test results into the origin of the gastro outbreak has revealed it is unlikely to have come from chicken manure.

Francky Godinho was taking a break last night after two days of cooking, providing soup for Havelock Norh residents afflicted with

The Hawke's Bay District Health Board is yet to confirm whether the contaminated Havelock North water contributed to the death of

The disease that laid many Havelock North residents low is under control, with a reduction in new cases, the Hawke's Bay District Health Board said.

Hastings people have been reassured there is no physical connection between Havelock North and Hastings water.

A report on a previous contamination at the water supply causing widespread sickness in the Hawke's Bay will be released today.

The Hawke's Bay District Health Board is operating well despite increasing demands caused by the gastro outbreak, the Ministry of Health says.

An expert says the Havelock North outbreak was entirely preventable.

Criticism has been levelled at central government over the Havelock North gastro outbreak during an urgent debate held in parliament this afternoon.

Health officials believe the gastro bug that has made thousands of Havelock North residents badly ill has peaked.

It's up to the people to decide whether Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule keeps his job in October, following the largest outbreak of waterborne

All Havelock North schools have now closed because of the gastro outbreak with up to half the rolls sick.

Cafes and restaurants in Havelock North are also feeling the effects of the gastro bug with tables and chairs sitting empty.

An ecology and zoology academic says future outbreaks of waterborne diseases could be prevented if New Zealand farmers moved livestock away from waterways.

A major investigation has been launched into why a thousand people have been affected by contaminated water in Havelock North. The

Nearly 200 sick people sought medical treatment yesterday as a severe gastro disease continues to spread across Havelock North and Hastings.

Hundreds sick from town's contaminated water supply

A lawyer has been accused of assaulting and injuring his former girlfriend, champion triathlete Amelia Watkinson.

Janetta Mackay checks into a self-contained bungalow that calls itself a hotel.

Drive the winding road from Havelock North to the windblown crest of Te Mata Peak then study the panorama from west to east.

No longer a sleepy village, this Hawke's Bay locale is now a sought-after destination.

The man accused of stabbing to death the mother of his children in Havelock North earlier this month appeared in court today charged with murder.

Police have launched a homicide investigation after a 48-year-old woman's body was found in Havelock North last night.

As drought grips the country, the Government is promoting giant dams to irrigate dry farmland. Geoff Cumming investigates whether the biggest of these plans will work for farmers, investors and environmentalists

As summer fades into autumn and the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness, it's time for hay to be saved, harvests to be gathered and, best of all, have festivals to attend.

Families fought flames with spades, garden hoses and shoes to protect their Havelock North homes yesterday.