Overview of current activity

Overview of Current Activity in New Zealand Last Updated 25th October 2013

This page gives a quick overview of the latest activity in every fluoridating council.

Number of Territorial Authorities (i.e. local body councils) in New Zealand is 67, number that have any fluoridation is 23. Since 2010 four councils have stopped fluoridation: Far North, Taumarunui-Ruapehu, New Plymouth and Central Hawke’s Bay.

1. Auckland – all Auckland suburbs except Onehunga. New group formed in 2013 with branches in each main area.

2. Hamilton Stopped Fluoridation on the 5th of June but a subsequent referendum has found 68% of voters in favour of fluoridaiton. Council meets on the 28th of November to decide if they will restart fluoridation..

3. Thames – Split vote to retain status quo although decision ended up being about process. Mayor and councillors all agreed that fluoride should not be forced on to people. 13th May 2013 Waikato Times -Thames to continue fluoridation – for now.

4. Whakatane – referendum result 61% of voters in favour of fluoridaiton, 39% of voters against. Council will discuss in February.

5. Gisborne District Council – Gisborne city only fluoridated town, no major activity.

6. South Waikato District Council – Tokoroa only fluoridated town, no major activity.

7. Waikato District Council – Quite a few towns are fluoridated in this region, Ngaruwahia being the largest. This council voted uphold their 2011 decision to extend fluoridation to Te kauwhata and Hopuhopu

8. Taupo district council – Taupo and Turangi are fluoridated, no major activity.

9. Hastings – referendum result 64% of voters in favour of fluoridation, 34% of voters against.

10. Manawatu District Council – Fielding only fluoridated town, no major activity.

11. Palmerston North – Lots of submissions this year and good chance council will agree to a review either this year or next. 25th May 2013 Manawatu Standard – Mayor wants fluoride review. $10,000 have been put aside for a review by Beca Consultancy. Do not know when issue will be discussed by council.

12. Stratford District Council – only town of Stratford fluoridated, no major activity

13. South Taranaki District Council – Hawera only fluoridated town at this stage although council voted last year to extend to Patea and Waverly despite finding out vast majority did not want it. Judicial Review now lodged with New Plymouth District Council objecting to the decision on the basis that fluoridation has no legal standing and is a breech of human right. 30th April 2013 Taranaki Daily News – Ruling Ends up in Court

14. Masterton district council – Masterton only fluoridated town in whole of Wairarapa

15. Kapiti Coast District Council – Nearly stopped in 2010 but ended up only reducing the level to 0.7ppm.Kapiti News – Fluoride labelled a Poison Fluoridation is on the Draft Annual Plan for 2014.

16. Porirua City Council – Porirua fluoridated since 1965, no major activity

17. Upper Hutt City Council – Council agreed to lobby Regional Council to stop fluoridation June 2011. No major activity since then.

18 Lower Hutt City Council – Council voted 8 to 5 not to hold a referendum. 8th November 2011 Hutt referednum on water fluoridation rejected. No major activity since then.

19. Wellington city and regional councils – no major activity lately

20. Ashburton District Council – result of referenda, stopped in Ashburton town in 2007 but continued in small town of Methven after refendum in 2008.

21. Dunedin city council – Have just lowered the level to below MoH recommendations 15th May 2013 ODT Council opts to drop fluoride level

22. Clutha – Clutha fluoridated since 1960s or 1970s. Council decided to start fluoridation in Milton, Kaitangata and Tapanui in 2011

23. Invercargill – Lots of submissions this year and good chance council will agree to a review either this year or next. 14th May 2013 Southland Times – Invercargill public may decide on fluoridation

Note: Central Otago District Council – No fluoridation at present. They were going to start fluoridation in Ranfurly this year but have now decided to hold consultation next month. 23rd March 2013 ODT Fluoridation decision delayed

After doing a lot of research due to feeling ill and wanting to live a cleaner lifestyle. I was disgusted to learn fluoride which has been promoted for heathly teeth is a well known toxin. And this toxin is been put in our water.

It doesn’t matter if the dose in our water is low. It is a poison!
No level of poison is safe. So while I can buy a distiller to help minimize the effects of fluoride i’m drinking ( and yes i feel better, since doing this)

We are not just putting this poison in our mouths, and in our childrens mouths. We are drinking it, we are bathing in it, we wash our food in it and we don’t have a choice, this is appauling.

It’s known to damage the thyroid. It’s known to damage bones.
Its known to cause stomach problems. It’s known to increase the risk of cancer.
Floride is a key componant in rat poison and some insecticides.

This needs to stop. If individuals want flouride for their teeth, it can be their choice. But don’t poison the rest of NZ with this toxic chemical.

If trends are anything to go by, you will notice an influx in kiwis looking for more natural products including a fluoride free toothpaste. So why would we want this in our water which we use for so much. Please stop poisoning us.

Claire Newell, Auckland