2025 Southland candidates

Would you please advise with a simple yes or no – if you are elected, would you support pressuring the coalition Government to bring forward, and vote for, the Member’s Bill introduced by NZ First, which seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 so that decision making for fluoridation can be returned to the hands of each local council?

Rob Scott

I am a very strong advocate for councils being able to make their own decisions, and will always push back when Wellington tries to take control. My simple answer is yes.

Sarah Greaney

I would not vote for fluoridation

Robin McCall

Decision making returned to local councils

Denise Fodie

If elected I would vote against Fluoride

Fiona McCabe

If elected I would vote against Fluoride

Don Byars

No fluoride

Stevey Chernishov

No fluoride

Michael Kowalewski

I would vote against Fluoride. No fluoride

Katie Allan

Yes

Gretchen Wilson

Totally against fluoride in water

No, to fluoride.

Yes

YES. Absolutely.

Fluoride free here in Southland and long may that continue.

Josh Honiss

Yes. I am 100% against fluoride. It has and will continue to do irreparable damage to our families.

Chantel Marshall

I support the bill, fluoride decision should be made at local level.

Amanda Lee Reedy

I would be in favour.

Till Peters

Regardless of party politics, I generally support decisions about water being made locally rather than centrally. Local control allows communities to better reflect their own needs and preferences.

Matt Wilson

I support the decision making to be left to the affected community, in line with the clear mandate set in recent consultation of preferred water services delivery options for Southland.

However… the government can certainly assist with some more equitable funding and more locally nuanced standards,

Michael.Weusten

I too, totally agree with Matt Wison, above.

Andrea Straith

If elected I would be a hard no

Wendy Baker

Yes to Fluoride.

I’m fairly sensitive to chemicals and have always avoided diet products, as aspartame affects me noticeably. A few years ago, I decided to try fluoride-free toothpaste. Since then, my health has improved in several ways. I no longer drool at night or wake up with a sore throat. My skin is clearer, and I no longer experience sudden tooth pain.

I’ve generally lived in areas where the water was not fluoridated and relied on rain tank water from 2002 to 2013. These days, I use a water distiller and occasionally drink bottled water. While working in Thames recently, I started getting sore throats after drinking hot chocolate made with boiled tap water—something I hadn’t experienced in years.

My son, who is 100% unvaccinated and was raised on raw milk and tank water, has never had a cavity at age 22. We lived in Paeroa and Cambridge, where I was assured the water was fluoride-free.

I initially tried Red Seal toothpaste, then explored several Indian brands. I currently prefer Rozino and Xiaoks, which I order from Temu.

Pamela, Paeroa

Sore throat from fluoride – even the toothpaste