US Lawyer Behind Groundbreaking Fluoridation Case to Visit New Zealand
Michael Connett, the renowned US lawyer who led and won a historic legal battle against water fluoridation, is coming to New Zealand in February. This landmark visit offers Kiwis the chance to hear first hand from a lawyer who took on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a case that will lead to the end of water fluoridation in the US.
Connett’s legal win represents a monumental moment in public health advocacy. He spearheaded the lawsuit under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), arguing that fluoridation poses significant risks to human health, particularly for children. For the first time in US history, a Federal court undertook a risk assessment and agreed fluoridation poses “an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment” and ordered the EPA to take regulatory steps to “reduce or remove the threat posed by fluoridation”.
Update 2 March 2025
Now that the tour is over we can bring you this recorded presentation of Michael’s excellent last talk in Wellington.
About Michael Connett
Michael Connett is an environmental lawyer with a passion for protecting public health and the environment. Over the past two decades, he has worked tirelessly to expose the dangers of fluoride and advocate for safer drinking water practices. His ground-breaking legal win in the US has paved the way for a global movement to end water fluoridation.
Join us in welcoming Michael to New Zealand and be part of this pivotal moment for public health.
Entry is free but donations at the door are hugely appreciated.
Event Schedule
Whangarei Thursday 30 January Closed door (i.e. not open to the public) workshop with Northland councils (Far North, Whangarei & Kaipara)
Whangarei Saturday 1 February 3pm to 4.30pm – Old Library on Rust Ave – Facebook Event for Whangarei
Auckland Sunday 2 February 3.30pm to 5.00pm ->Hillsborough room, Fickling Convention Centre – Facebook Event for Auckland
Tauranga Monday 3 February 7.00pm to 8.30pm – Te Puna Memorial Hall, 3 Te Puna Road
Rotorua Tuesday 4 February 7.00pm to 8.30pm – Conference Room 5 Millennium Hotel – Facebook Event for Rotorua
Cambridge Wednesday 5 February 7.00pm to 8.30pm – Main Hall, Cambridge Town Hall – Facebook Event for Cambridge
Hastings Friday 7 February 7.00pm to 8.30pm – Havelock North Function Centre
Palmerston North 8 February 3.00pm to 4.30pm – Church on Vogel, 127 Vogel Street
Wellington 10 February 7.00pm to 8.30pm – Law School, Victoria University, Pipitea Campus (access via Stout Street)
South Island events – livestreamed from Wellington – Monday 10 February
Christchurch Westend: Mega Air 106a Carmen Road, Christchurch
Invercargill South Alive, 262 Ness Street, Appleby, Invercargill
Marlborough The Runway Cafe, 760 Middle Renick Road, Renwick
Nelson Tahunanui School Hall, Muritai Street, Nelson
Timaru Gleniti Baptist Church, 58 Gleniti Road, Timaru
Oamaru Reach church, 17 College Street, Oamaru
North Island events – livestreamed from Wellington – Monday 10 February
Gisborne Waikanae Surf Club, Grey St, Gisborne
Please help fund this tour by donating to our bank account.
38 9001 0273781 00
FLUORIDE ACTION NETWORK(NZ)
Please help fund this tour by donating to our bank account.
38 9001 0273781 00
FLUORIDE ACTION NETWORK(NZ)
Why New Zealand Needs Michael
New Zealand stands at a critical crossroads regarding water fluoridation. As the US prepares to reconsider its stance following Michael Connett’s groundbreaking legal victory against the Environmental Protection Agency, our nation risks falling behind in safeguarding public health. Fluoridation has been linked to neurological harm, particularly in children, yet current policies threaten to expand its use nationwide with severe penalties for noncompliance. Michael Connett’s visit offers a unique chance for New Zealanders to engage with the world’s foremost expert on fluoridation, hear the latest science, and understand why global communities are choosing to end this outdated practice. Let’s not repeat past mistakes—together, we can lead the way in ensuring a healthier future for our children.
If you would like to interview Michael, please contact us .
Find out more about Michael.
Michael Connett in the Media
Michael Connett has been actively engaging with both mainstream and alternative media, sharing valuable insights about the historic fluoridation lawsuit. Below are some standout interviews that delve into the case and its implications:
A 10-minute interview on one of the most watched political channels in the US. In 2020, the Hill was ranked 2nd for online politics readership across all US news sites, behind only CNN, remaining ahead of Politico, Fox News, NBCNews.com and MSNBC. The Hill has around 32 million monthly viewers in 2023.
A 37-minute audio podcast interview with Sharyl Attkisson, an investigative journalist, five-time Emmy Award winner, and recipient of the Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting.
(Focus: Key aspects of the lawsuit and its significance in public health.)
A 46-minute video interview on The Jimmy Dore Show, a popular talk show hosted by comedian and political commentator Jimmy Dore.
(Focus: The lawsuit’s wider societal implications and the fight for clean water.)
A 60-minute interview with Dr. Ken Berry, MD, a physician and author who has been a long-time supporter of FAN. In this episode, Dr. Berry shares how he helped end fluoridation in his own community and discusses the broader impacts of the lawsuit.
(Focus: Practical actions communities can take to address fluoridation, backed by medical insights.)
A 36 -minute video interview by investigative journalist Derrick Broze, who provided the most detailed coverage of the lawsuit over its seven-year span. This in-depth conversation explores the legal victory and the National Toxicology Program’s report on fluoride neurotoxicity.
(Focus: A comprehensive look at the case and its findings.)