The first hearing of a Government Inquiry into the Havelock North gastro outbreak is underway in Hastings.
The August outbreak affected a third of the town's population, making some 5200 sick and hospitalising more than 20.
The inquiry has called it one of the largest ever outbreaks of campylobacter from a contaminated water supply, and said it was a contributing cause in three deaths, two of which have been previously reported on.
Three other people have contracted Guillain-Barré syndrome, a serious neurological illness caused by campylobacter.
Others have developed arthritis, another complication from campylobacter.
The inquiry says it has led to a loss in confidence in the water supply, which has given rise to a "fundamental question about whether untreated water is an unacceptable risk in New Zealand".
About 15% of the population currently drink untreated water.
Today's public hearing is primarily procedural, deciding how the five month inquiry will be staged.
One of the main procedures being discussed is whether the inquiry should play out in two stages.
The first would look at the cause of the Havelock North outbreak, the responses of relevant parties and whether any person or organisation is at fault.
The second stage would address systemic matters and what lessons can be learned to avoid future outbreaks.
Parties wishing to make a submission to the inquiry, or be considered as 'core participants' on the inquiry will register their interest today.
However, the hearing today will not deal with any substantive matters.
The first public hearing where evidence will be given is the 28th November. Three other dates have also been set down for December.
The Inquiry chair, retired Court of Appeal judge Lyn Stevens QC, acknowledged the tight timeframe.
He says it will require everyone's cooperation to provide relevant evidence and documents in a timely fashion.
As for submissions, he says there will be "no prizes for length" and requested that they be short and to the point.
Key participants such as the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, The Hastings District Council, the Hawke's Bay District Health Board and relevant Ministries are present today, alongside their lawyers.
The public gallery is filled, with people sitting in the jury box and many forced to stand or sit on the ground.
Thursday's hearing may continue until Friday morning.
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