8. Question No. 8—Research Science and InnovationHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Research Science and InnovationQuestion No. 8—Research Science and InnovationHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National): My question is to the Minister of Housing and asks—sorry the Minister of science research and—SPEAKER: Research science and technology. 8. Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Research Science and Innovation: Yes—thank you. Your education of me continues. Where precisely on the Southern Interceptor is ESR testing for COVID-19 in Auckland's waste water and when was the first positive result?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Research Science and Innovation): I'm advised that testing is undertaken precisely where the waste water from the Southern Interceptor meets the Māngere treatment plant. Testing commenced at the Southern Interceptor on 12 July and the first positive result was confirmed on 16 July. As I mentioned in my answer yesterday it is expected that we see positive results in the Southern Interceptor as this is where the waste water from the Jet Park Hotel flows through. I would caution the member about reading too much into these results at this early stage of the project. This is scientific method development and not yet a verified public health surveillance tool. The research obviously does not provide granular information about the precise location of COVID-19 and to read too much into these interim findings could ultimately undermine the public health response. I'm happy to offer the member a briefing on the use of waste-water testing or indeed when alert levels allow a visit to the Southern Interceptor should he be interested in how the process works.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Well I just want to indicate that we'll most certainly take up the Minister on that generous offer.SPEAKER: That's much better than he did for Mr Parker—his offer for a trip at one stage. Rt Hon Winston Peters: That's not a point of order.SPEAKER: Oh yes I understand that it's probably not and if I was going to be really strict through my term I think the Deputy Prime Minister himself might have been pulled up a bit more often than he was. Hon Gerry Brownlee: Is she aware that the Watercare maps show that the Jet Park is not on the Southern Interceptor? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: In terms of the facilities that are connected to the South Western Interceptor the Naumi Hotel the Holiday Inn Auckland Airport Jet Park Hotel Auckland Airport Sudima Auckland Airport and the Novotel Auckland Airport are all on the South Western Interceptor. I am more than happy to table a map that shows all of the managed isolation facilities and which of the interceptors they connect to because this is of course what the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) needs in order to carry out their surveillance methodology development. Hon Gerry Brownlee: Is it possible that some of the positive testing in July did not come from the Jet Park? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: What we see is that there was testing that was being carried out at the Jet Park and the associated interceptor. One of the challenges we have in New Zealand—and why this is scientific method development rather than public health surveillance—is the fact that we had no COVID in the community before that. We were seeing it going through into the appropriate receptor. But if the member is looking for conspiracies I suggest he look somewhere other than the sewer. SPEAKER: Question No. 9 the Hon Paul Goldsmith.Hon Gerry Brownlee: That's a reasonable answer? Is that a reasonable answer?SPEAKER: Well—Hon Gerry Brownlee: I've asked straight questions. SPEAKER: It was a straight question there were some interjections from his colleagues the Minister might have added on some unnecessary stuff and been political but I think compared to some of the things that have been going both ways it didn't call for my intervention. Hon Gerry Brownlee: Supplementary. SPEAKER: A further supp—hadn't I called Mr Goldsmith?Hon Gerry Brownlee: No.SPEAKER: All right.Hon Members: Yes you had. SPEAKER: Had—well I just want to ask a very straight question: had I called you Mr Goldsmith?Hon Paul Goldsmith: I can't remember sorry. SPEAKER: I had called Mr Goldsmith. I'm willing to take the leave of the House to go back to allow Mr Brownlee to ask a question. Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I thank the House. Just a simple question: on what day can we organise to have the briefing with ECR and Watercare? Hon Members: ESR. Hon Gerry Brownlee: ESR—sorry. Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: ESR is the Crown research institute that is carrying out this methodological development. We will do that at the earliest possible convenience. I would imagine we'll be able to do that pretty quickly and then—once the alert levels allow—travel to the Southern Interceptor. I look forward to accompanying the member. [Interruption]SPEAKER: I'm lost for words but I think we'll go to Mr Goldsmith.