Ranfurly water will be fluoridated. The Maniototo Community Board yesterday approved the move with a 3-2 vote, with chairman Richard Smith and board member Sue Umbers voting against fluoridation.

Mr Smith told members he believed the 250 children under the age of 12 should have the benefit of fluoride and the board could either fluoridate the water or pay more than $7000 to provide fluoride tablets for children free of charge.

Cr Barry Becker said as the dispensing equipment which was worth $50,000 was not costing the board anything, he believed fluoridation should go ahead.

His decision was guided by photos he had seen, taken by a dental nurse, of children’s teeth which were in very bad shape.

Mrs Umbers said fluoridating the water for the benefit of the children was probably a waste of time as about 80% of them came to school by bus from out of the township, and they took bottles of water to school.

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