133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
1 September 2022
Spencer Jones
By email: [FYI request #19839 email]
Ref:
H2022009423
Tēnā koe Spencer
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to Manatū Hauora
(Ministry of Health) on 4 August 2022. The parts of your request referred to below were
transferred from New Plymouth District Council to Manatū Hauora. Please find a response to
each part of your request.
2). Please confirm the method you are using to assess cost vs benefit on a community by
community basis as required under subsection 116E(3) of the Act. In particular, please
provide the data you are using to determine the difference, if any, in tooth decay rates
between fluoridated and unfluoridated residents in the communities under consideration
for directing implementation of water fluoridation.
3). Please provide all information you have considered in relation to the potential adverse
health effects of water fluoridation (as required to protect the public health under section
3A of the Act).
Manatū Hauora has identified the following documents within scope of this part of your request.
These documents were provided to the Director-General of Health when deciding whether to
direct certain local authorities, including New Plymouth District Council to fluoridate some or all
of their drinking water supplies.
• Memo: Decisions on whether to direct certain local authorities to fluoridate some or
all of their drinking water supplies
• Appendix to memo: Report to the Director-General of Health: potential directions to
fluoridate
• Appendix to memo: Responses from local authorities, including additional relevant
emails
• Direction letters to local authorities
The documents listed are publicly available at the following links:
•
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/general-information-
releases/information-provided-director-general-health-whether-direct-certain-local-
authorities-fluoridate
•
www.health.govt.nz/our-work/preventative-health-wellness/fluoride-and-oral-
health/water-fluoridation/director-general-healths-role-decision-making-fluoridation-
drinking-water-supplies#directives (Direction letters to local authorities)
4). Please provide list of all controlled documents relating to fluoride and community water
fluoridation.
5). Please disclose all submissions assessing risk hazardous substances Re fluoride and
community water fluoridation.
6). Please disclose what specific studies does NPDC rely on for it's current determination
on community water fluoridation
8). Please clarify that NPDC understands that it has been proven medically (Peer
reviewed), scientifically (peer reviewed) and legally (case law) that unlike other
substances fluoride is a cumulative toxin which means it accumulates in the body.
The
Appendix to memo: Report to the Director-General of Health: potential directions to
fluoridate includes the evidence the Director-General of Health considered in relation to the
scientific evidence on the effectiveness of adding fluoride to drinking water in reducing the
prevalence and severity of dental decay for each drinking water supply including the New
Plymouth supply.
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Manatū Hauora website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-
official-information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Jane Chambers
Lead, Public Health Policy and Regulation
Public Health Agency, Ministry of Health
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