David Parker accuses previous government of 'failing New Zealanders' for not addressing water treatment issues

Minister for Economic Development David Parker has accused the previous government of "failing New zealanders" after a report published today outlined the fact that 20 per cent of Kiwis drinking water is not treated putting them at risk.

Mr Parker was addressing media after an inquiry into Havelock North's drinking water contamination released a damning 296 page report into the safety and security of New Zealand's drinking water supply.

"I think it's clear this report will be concerning to a lot of new Zealanders, it shows the problems we had in Havelock North a lot more widespread than previously thought," he said.

When asked who was to blame for the water issues facing the country, Mr Parker answered directly that it was mainly the previous government's fault.

"One of the things the report makes clear is that central government has for at least five-years known that water supplies have not been doing their duty and the Ministry of Health and those responsible for them have effectively failed New Zealanders.

"They say that over the last five-years not one compliance notice, let alone a prosecution was brought, not withstanding the fact that they knew that we had serious problems in some parts of New Zealand and it wasn't getting better," he said.

The report isn't all bad news though with Mr Parker wanting to address the fact a large majority of Kiwis had access to treated water.

"I think the point needs to be made that are largest centres like Auckland and Wellington city are properly delivering safe water to their consumers."

Also he pointed out that even though 20 per cent of the country was found to have water supplies that were at risk, that didn't mean that they weren't safe to drink.

The report makes 51 recommendations and says urgent action is needed.

It's the second stage of an inquiry launched following the August 2016 water contamination in Havelock North, which left 5000 people sick.