Drinking-water

Safe drinking-water is necessary for good health. The Ministry of Health engages with public health professionals and authorities to formulate policy for achieving safe drinking-water supplies and effective sanitation in New Zealand.

View the latest Annual Report on Drinking-water Quality 2020–2021.

Taumata Arowai: a new water regulator

All New Zealanders deserve safe, reliable, and affordable water services that support good health and sustainable environmental outcomes.

The government has developed a new regulatory framework for ensuring Aotearoa’s drinking-water is safe, and to improve environmental outcomes for wastewater and stormwater. This is called the Three Waters Reform. More information about the Reform can be found on the Three Waters Reform Programme website.

The new framework will be overseen by Taumata Arowai, the new and independent water services regulator.

Taumata Arowai became fully operational as the drinking-water regulator when the Water Services Act 2021 came into effect on 15 November 2021. Part 2A (Drinking Water) of the Health Act 1956 was repealed from this date.

Following public consultation Taumata Arowai have published new Drinking Water Standards which came into effect on 14 November 2022.

The Ministry of Health will remain as the organisation in charge of drinking-water policy, and will work closely with Taumata Arowai.

More information about Taumata Arowai and their regulatory role can be found on the Taumata Arowai website.

Information for water suppliers

Water suppliers must comply with the new drinking water standards and quality assurance rules that came into effect on the 14 November 2022.

Further information for water suppliers can be found on the Taumata Arowai website.

Register of drinking-water suppliers

The new register can be found at the Taumata Arowai Public Register of Drinking Water Supplies. All drinking water suppliers registered with the Ministry of Health before 15 November 2021 have had their recorded drinking water supplies transferred to the Taumata Arowai register. 

Accredited Laboratories for New Zealand

Laboratories that were recognised by the Director-General of Health for the purposes of Part 2A of the Health Act 1956 are automatically accredited laboratories under the Water Services Act 2021. They will be able to continue to provide water analysis services for a transitional period. 

Further information for laboratories can be found on the Taumata Arowai website.