A Cook Islands group says a lot more research is needed before using chemicals to disinfect the water supply on Rarotonga.
Photo: RNZ/Rebekah Parsons-King
The island is about to start using its multi-million-dollar water system upgrade and the government plans to disinfect its contents, with many people believing they have already decided on chlorination.
Te Vai Ora Maori - the Maori Water of Life - said the water on Rarotonga is sourced from high in the mountains and it's clean - there is no need to use chemicals.
But they are open to discuss the issues with the government and its spokesperson, Anna Rasmussen, is calling on them to hold fair and open consultations with the people.
"That's what we want. We want consultation, discussion for our people to actually make up our minds. We want education on ozone, on UV, on analyte, on chlorine and there are other systems as well. We have not had fair consultations. This is a big issue here at the moment."