People injured by corrosive chemical at Christchurch daycare centre

Friday 5 December 2025 · 8 outlets · 10 reports · updated Fri 5 Dec 2025, 2:54pm

In this story Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Hato Hone St John

Several people, including children, were hospitalised after a corrosive chemical was mistakenly used instead of detergent on a waterslide at a Woolston childcare centre on Friday. Emergency services attended the scene, where dozens of people were assessed. Reports indicate at least one person is in serious condition.

How they headlined it

1:56pm2:30pm

1. StuffFri 5 Dec 2025, 1:56pm

   Incident at Christchurch daycare centre, hazmat unit in attendance (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldFri 5 Dec 2025, 1:59pm

   Christchurch daycare incident: Emergency services cordon off area (opens in new tab)

3. 1NewsFri 5 Dec 2025, 2:04pm

   Seven injured by corrosive chemical on waterslide at Chch childcare centre (opens in new tab)

   • Emergency services rush to Christchurch daycare centre (opens in new tab) Fri 5 Dec 2025, 2:04pm
   • At least five injured by 'hazardous substance' at Chch childcare centre (opens in new tab) Fri 5 Dec 2025, 2:04pm
4. Otago Daily TimesFri 5 Dec 2025, 2:30pm

   Kids injured after 'corrosive chemical' used on slide (opens in new tab)

   • Kids injured after 'corrosive product' used on slide (opens in new tab) Fri 5 Dec 2025, 2:30pm
   • Kids suffer burns in daycare waterslide mistake (opens in new tab) Fri 5 Dec 2025, 2:30pm
5. Waikato Times via The PressFri 5 Dec 2025, 2:42pm

   5 children hospitalised from ‘chemical burns’ at Christchurch daycare (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), The Post (opens in new tab)

6. RNZFri 5 Dec 2025, 2:54pm

   Emergency services respond to incident at Christchurch daycare (opens in new tab)