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NZ Recalls 74,000 Sand-Art Toys Over Asbestos

7/21/2026

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Story summary
  • WorkSafe New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) recalled about 74,000 sand-art products after testing found asbestos.
  • Internal emails obtained by The Guardian show WorkSafe disputed Australian recall notices from the start.
  • An Auckland University of Technology study this month confirmed airborne asbestos fibres in coloured sand products.
  • Consumer NZ chief executive Jon Duffy said the findings expose product-safety weaknesses, prompting MBIE to update consumer advice.