8 October 2021
Gill Fair
By email: [FYI request #16729 email]
Dear Gill
Official Information Act Request: COVID-19 wastewater testing
On 13 September 2021 you sent a request for information under the Official Information Act
1982 (“Act”) to ESR as follows:
“Could I please request the following information under the Official Information Act:
a) wastewater Covid testing results for August 2020 and August 2021, with dates and
locations of each
b) As of September 2021, the locations of wastewater sites where Covid-monitoring is taking
place and how often testing is taking place at each site.”
Our response to your request: A) Results for August 2021 wastewater COVID-19 testing are available on our website at
the following li
nk: https://www.esr.cri.nz/home/about-esr/media-releases/ninety-percent-
of-new-zealand-covered-by-esrs-latest-results-of-wastewater-samples-for-covid-19/
Due to the substantial amount of work that would be required to collate the data for
August 2020, we are refusing this part of your request under section 18(f) of the Act. We
have considered section 18(A) of the Act and consider that even if we were to charge
you for the time to collate the data and extend the timeframe of the request, this would
still unduly affect our team who are supporting New Zealand’s COVID-19 response work.
B) Due to the substantial amount of work that would be required to collate the information
you have requested, we are refusing this part of your request under section 18(f) of the
Act. We have considered section 18(A) of the Act and consider that even if we were to
charge you for the time to collate the data and extend the timeframe of the request, this
would stil unduly affect our team who are supporting New Zealand’s COVID-19
response work.
However, weekly wastewater results will now be published on our website at the
following li
nk: https://www.esr.cri.nz/our-expertise/covid-19-response/wastewater-testing-
results/. The weekly report highlights sites tested since 11 September 2021.
Your right to seek a review You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or freephone 0800 802 602.
Thank you for your request.
Yours sincerely
Libby Harrison
Joint General Manager Health and Environment Group – Environment
ESR