News Archive

In the 60 years since municipal authorities in many countries began fluoridating their water supplies to reduce tooth decay, to fluoridate or not has become one of the most contentious issues ever tackled at a community level, the Nelson Mail said in an editorial on Tuesday. Although it is backed by the Ministry of Health, […]

Dentists are calling for a fresh look at the fluoridation of Nelson’s water supply, with claims children’s teeth are slipping back to decay levels of the 1940s. While fluoridation was the main concern, a worsening diet, poor oral hygiene and fewer school dental nurses were driving children’s and teenagers’ teeth back to the poor condition […]

The proposed fluoridation of water supplies in the greater Dunedin area has reawakened debate – with a passion never much below the surface – about adding the chemical to public water supplies. A vociferous and dedicated group has its teeth into the issue again because of the extensions of city water supplies to northern towns. […]

Dunedin City Council staff have suggested issuing a public advisory warning mothers about the risks of mixing baby formula with fluoridated water – a matter dismissed by the Ministry of Health nearly two years ago. The idea was raised in a report to councillors at Monday’s meeting of the infrastructure services committee, which prompted a […]

Organisers say last night’s public meeting discussing fluoride in Mosgiel was a success. More than 100 people turned up to hear what those for and against the use of fluoride in city water had to say. There were heated exchanges between both sides with one of the proponents of water fluoridation refusing to be filmed. […]

… The chemical, which is mixed with water to improve dental health, is added to reservoirs supplying 85% of the city’s reticulated water. But there were howls of outrage yesterday when the council’s infrastructure services committee discussed extending fluoride use to Waikouaiti, Mosgiel, Outram, West Taieri and Rocklands. A report by water production manager Gerard […]

The Vincent Community Board has decided not to fluoridate Alexandra and Earnslceugh/Manuherikia’s public drinking water. The board members voted unanimously against fluoridation at its meeting in Alexandra yesterday. Chairwoman Clair Higginson said the community did not give the board a clear mandate in the referendum held with the local body elections last year. Alexandra residents […]

Health officials are gearing up for a massive new campaign to persuade Rotorua residents and decision-makers to add fluoride to local water supplies. The Lakes District Health Board has secured $31,000 – including $25,000 from the Ministry of Health – to fund the two-year campaign which will involve blind water tasting activities at City Focus, […]

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 Maniototo Community Board has decided to fluoridate Ranfurly’s public drinking water supplies. The board members voted three to two for fluoridation at their meeting in Ranfurly yesterday. Chairman Richard Smith said the board took the view that fluoridation would protect public health. He said the residents had given the board a mandate at the […]