Fluoridation: ‘We are not going to go away’

• Published date: 08 April 2024
• Author: Leanne Warr
• Publication title: Bush Telegraph

Several residents sat in on the meeting to make known their opposition to fluoride being added to drinking water

The council was ordered to add fluoride to the water under a directive from the director-general of health with an initial deadline of June 30, but that has been extended to August 28.

One resident, Nikki Kilmartin, spoke in the public forum on behalf of the ratepayers’ group.

“I’m here today to ask this council, to plead with this council, to please follow in the footsteps of other councils by applying to the Ministry of Health to defer, to postpone the fluoridation of the Dannevirke water supply at least until the 31st of December, 2024.”

She said another council, Nelson City Council, had already applied for and been granted an extension to the end of the year from the director general of health.

Other councils that have been given the directive to fluoridate would have to ask for an extension.

“Each of you has the perfect golden opportunity to follow the lead of the Nelson City Council.

“A golden opportunity to...