'Third world problems'- Reporters discuss NZ's drinking water after gastro outbreak in Hawkes Bay

December 9, 2017

The 1 NEWS political team go behind the scenes of this week's big stories.

With the release of a report on New Zealand's drinking water released, 1 NEWS political editor Corin Dann and political reporters Katie Bardford and Andrea Vance delved into the crisis facing New Zealand, particularly Havelock Noth.

The report on the country's drinking water from Havelock North's Drinking Water Inquiry showed a wiespread systemic failure by water suppliers and council groups when 5,000 people fell sick in August last year in the Hawkes Bay town. 

Andrea Vance and Katie Bradford were sickened at the figures showing that more than 100,000 New Zealanders become sick due to water-borne illnesses each year, and described the state of our water as "third-world." 

The political reporters agreed outdated infrastructure played a big part in the issue and Corin Dann seemed less than impressed that the country would either have to borrow the $35 million required to universally treat our water, or that the cost would fall on ratepayers.

1 NEWS political editor Corin Dann, and political reporters Katie Bradford and Andrea Vance wrap up the big stories from this week.

The hosts of Inside Parliament felt that although the 20 per cent of New Zealanders with untreated water may resist the idea of having their fresh water taken away, the government needs to make a call and own the issue that Ms Vance calls a "basic human right".

To listen to Inside Parliament on Soundcloud, click here.

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