Hastings District Council is to host a panel discussion on the addition of fluoride into the Hastings water supply.

The panel discussion will be chaired by prominent Hawke’s Bay barrister Jonathon Krebs and will be attended by 2 representatives from the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and 2 representatives from Fluoride Free Hastings.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says “This is a chance for the public to hear both sides of the fluoride discussion. There have been plenty of words spoken over this issue but as we close in on the referendum I believe it is important that both sides present their arguments at one forum.”

“We have chosen the Chairman very carefully, to ensure that both parties have an equal opportunity to present their arguments and to make sure that the discussion is well controlled.”

The panel discussion will be held in the Hastings District Council Chambers on Wednesday 25 September from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Background info:

Hastings District Council currently fluoridates the urban water supply (Hastings, Flaxmere and Havelock North together with some surrounding rural properties) in accordance with the “New Zealand Standard for the Supply of Fluoride for Use in Water Treatment”. Hastings was the first authority in New Zealand to use fluoride, introducing it into its water supply in 1954. In 1991 a binding referendum supported the continued addition of fluoride as a dental health measure.

In 2011, Council resolved to conduct a referendum of voters who currently receive fluoridated water, on the continued fluoridation of the water supply, in conjunction with the 2013 council elections.

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