2025 Hastings 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?

Steve Gibson

Yes i support getting rid of fluoride if and when we can and saving the 100k it costs every year while we are at it.

Kevin Watkins

Yes

Darrin Wilson

Yes. I think I’ll drinking water should be as it comes from the earth no additives 100% natural and clean

Burt Lincoln

Yes

Callum Ross

I support the decision for local councils and their communities to make this choice. I have regularly used the fountain, and it is a great option for our community to access this.

Lucie-Jane McElwee

Yes

Nick Ratcliffe

Thank you for raising this issue with candidates – it comes up a lot when I’ve been doorknocking my own neighbourhood and I hope other candidates have had it raised with them too.

Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to give a simple yes or no but I am happy to explain why.

Given that fluoride is available in almost every toothpaste on the market, I personally don’t see a need for it to be added to our water supply.

Jacqueline Supra

Returned to a democratic vote by councils representing its people

Simon Nixon

I was bought up on rain water and suffered poor and expensive dental health all my life. My son has spent all but the first two years of his life on Hastings Fluoridated water and at nearly 50 years of age has beautiful teeth with few if any fillings.

So I am not against fluoridation but I do respect those who feel differently and have always said I will support the outcome of any referendum on the issue regardless of the outcome and my own personal views.

Rion Roben

Deborah Ward

Bernard Hickey

Sorry impartial

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