This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'Local goverment implementation of water fluoridation'.

From:                                 "Lisa Lowe" <[email address]>
Sent:                                  Wed, 22 Dec 2021 09:02:28 +1300
To:                                      "T1Connect" <[email address]>
Subject:                             Dr Ashley Bloomfield - Planning for community water fluoridation
Attachments:                   Letter Neil - signed.pdf, Letter to local authority CEs.pdf
#ecmbody 
#silent 
#noresponse 
 
From: Ashley Bloomfield [mailto:[email address]] 
Sent: Thursday, 16 December 2021 2:40 PM
To: Neil Holdom
Subject: Action Required – Planning for community water fluoridation 
 
Kia ora Neil, 
 
Following your recent phone call with Deborah Woodley, Deputy Director-General Population Health 
and Prevention, I have attached a letter to formally update you on community water fluoridation and 
the benefits it will have on your community. Please note, the Ministry of Health has asked for 
information from your local authority to assist with planning for fluoridation, which is due on 11 March 
2022
 
Ngā mihi nui 
 
Ashley 
 
Dr Ashley Bloomfield 
Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Hauora 
Director-General of Health 
 
Pronoun:He/Him 
email: [email address] 
www.health.govt.nz 
 
 
 
 
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133 Molesworth Street 
PO Box 5013 
Wellington 6140 
New Zealand 
T+64 4 496 2000 
15 December 2021 
Neil Holdom 
Mayor of New Plymouth 
New Plymouth District Council 
Private Bag 2025 
New Plymouth 
 
 
Tēnā koe Neil 
I am writing to let you know that the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment 
Act 2021 (the Act) came into force on 13 December 2021, and to encourage you and 
your colleagues to take positive action in light of this development. The new legislation 
amends the Health Act 1956 to give the Director-General of Health the power to issue a 
direction to local authority water suppliers (including bulk water suppliers) to fluoridate a 
public drinking water supply. 
The Ministry’s records indicate that the water supply in your local authority is un-
fluoridated and serves a large community. Community water fluoridation has been 
endorsed by the World Health Organization and other international health authorities as 
the most effective health measure for the prevention of dental decay. Good oral health 
is essential to achieving and maintaining the overall health and wellbeing of the 
community you serve. 
Community water fluoridation is an effective, safe and affordable public health measure 
to improve the oral health of all New Zealanders. It is also estimated that introducing 
community water fluoridation to all public drinking water supplies across the country 
would result in net savings of more than $600 million over 20 years for consumers. 
I encourage you and your colleagues to act proactively and start the process now to 
enable fluoridation of your water supply. Please note the local authority can commence 
this at any time, and this does not require a direction from the Director-General of 
Health. I have attached a letter addressed to your Chief Executive that also encourages 
this and seeks information to assist with planning for fluoridation.  
 
 
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The Ministry of Health can provide general advice and support on the evidence for 
fluoridation, and the steps needed to commence this process. I hope you will support 
your communities with this important initiative.  
Nāku noa, nā 
 
Dr Ashley Bloomfield 
Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Hauora 
Director-General of Health
 
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