Latest news with #GillianBlythe
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Report Reveals Water Unsafe To Drink At Many Schools
Water New Zealand says that children, their teachers and school support staff must be able to drink school supplied water without the risk of serious illness. Chief executive Gillian Blythe says it's clear that many rural schools have not had the training and support to manage their water supplies. She says this has been an ongoing issue that is now recognised by the Ministry of Education and is in the process of being addressed. A report just released by the Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai, has revealed that out of 418 schools that supply their own drinking water, 71 schools were found to have had in their water supply and 24 schools were found to have had repeated recurrences. The water regulator's latest annual drinking water quality report provides information on publicly supplied water from 1 January to 31 December 2024. More than half of self supplying schools don't have an identified plan to meet compliance requirements. Gillian Blythe says the Ministry of Education has recognised the need to upskill principals and school boards and has taken steps to ensure training is available. 'The Ministry has been working with us to ensure that staff and trustees understand their obligations and have the skills required to provide safe drinking water. 'As a result, principals and trustees are now being encouraged to upskill through Water New Zealand training material such as digital badges, particularly aimed at rural schools.' Schools are often used as community hubs or evacuation centres in emergencies. 'Ensuring schools are well equipped to supply safe water is crucial to minimise public health risk during an emergency.' For more information contact communications manager, Debra Harrington tel 027 202 8857.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Stormwater 2025: Tackling Flooding And Storms To Build A Climate-Resilient Future
Press Release – Water New Zealand The conference starts on Tuesday, 13 May, with pre-conference workshops on Monday 12 May. Protecting communities from flooding and ensuring a sustainable and climate resilient water future will be a key focus at a major stormwater conference in Rotorua next week. The Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference and Expo 2025 brings together more than 500 delegates, presenters and exhibitors from across Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally to discuss latest challenges and solutions to stormwater management. 'We have major challenges ahead and we need innovative and affordable solutions to address the growing risk of more intense rainfall events and flooding, says Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe. Keynote speakers at the conference include Climate Change and Local Government Minister, Simon Watts, Insurance Council chief executive Chris Faafoi and the programme manager for South Dunedin Future, Jonathan Rowe, who's heading an adaptation plan for low lying and flood affected South Dunedin. Other keynote speakers are: Nicki Green – Thames Coromandel District Council, Shari Gallop – PDP and University of Waikato, Mike Adams – Stantec USA, Allan Leahy – Auckland Council. The conference will also showcase collaborative bicultural stormwater management solutions between councils, communities and iwi. 'We need to ensure all communities, including hapu and iwi, work together to ensure we're adopting the best of international knowledge and home-grown solutions. 'We know we can't just hard engineer, or pipe our way, out of many of the problems facing us. 'That's why stormwater management is increasing about adopting nature-based and water sensitive urban design solutions as well as traditional piped networks.' The conference starts on Tuesday, 13 May, with pre-conference workshops on Monday 12 May.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Stormwater 2025: Tackling Flooding And Storms To Build A Climate-Resilient Future
Protecting communities from flooding and ensuring a sustainable and climate resilient water future will be a key focus at a major stormwater conference in Rotorua next week. The Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference and Expo 2025 brings together more than 500 delegates, presenters and exhibitors from across Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally to discuss latest challenges and solutions to stormwater management. 'We have major challenges ahead and we need innovative and affordable solutions to address the growing risk of more intense rainfall events and flooding, says Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe. Keynote speakers at the conference include Climate Change and Local Government Minister, Simon Watts, Insurance Council chief executive Chris Faafoi and the programme manager for South Dunedin Future, Jonathan Rowe, who's heading an adaptation plan for low lying and flood affected South Dunedin. Other keynote speakers are: Nicki Green – Thames Coromandel District Council, Shari Gallop – PDP and University of Waikato, Mike Adams – Stantec USA, Allan Leahy – Auckland Council. The conference will also showcase collaborative bicultural stormwater management solutions between councils, communities and iwi. 'We need to ensure all communities, including hapu and iwi, work together to ensure we're adopting the best of international knowledge and home-grown solutions. 'We know we can't just hard engineer, or pipe our way, out of many of the problems facing us. 'That's why stormwater management is increasing about adopting nature-based and water sensitive urban design solutions as well as traditional piped networks.' The conference starts on Tuesday, 13 May, with pre-conference workshops on Monday 12 May.
