Tēnā koe,

Thank you for contacting us. Your request has been logged under the Local
Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

We will respond to your request as soon as possible and in any case no
later than within 20 working days.  

You can also call us freephone 0800 932 463. Please quote Request No.
OIA251539 if you require any further information.

If you would like to notify us about anything further regarding this
matter, you can reply to this email.

Ngā mihi,

Whangarei District Council

 

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Tçnâ koe Bertha,

 

I refer to your request of February 12, 2025 for Information about
“Whangarei District Council Water Fluoridation ”. In response to your
request, please click on the link below to council’s “Fluoridation of
Water Supply” information page for the following:

 

[1]Fluoridation of water supply - Whangarei District Council

 

 1. Councils position on fluoridation – 12 February 2025
 2. Council maintains anti-fluoridation position – 18 December 2024
 3. Council notice of motion – 28 November 2024
 4. Fluoride Survey – March 2024

 

Detailed information on the steps taken to undertake fluoridation works,
including funding agreement and other matters can be found in previous
agenda items:

 

o 12 February 2025 Extraordinary Council Meeting Agenda – Fluoridation
Update 

 

o 18 December 2024 Extraordinary Council Meeting Agenda – Fluoridation
Update and Addendum

 

o 28 November 2024 Council Meeting Agenda – Notice of Motion Background
Information

 

o 27 June 2024 Council Meeting Agenda – Water Supply Fluoridation
Progress Update

 

o 24 April 2024 Council Meeting Agenda – Water Supply Fluoridation
Progress Update and Results of Resident Survey

 

o 21 December 2023 Council Meeting Agenda – Water Treatment Plant
Fluoridation – Legal and Contractual Considerations of Pausing Work

 

o 23 November 2023 Council Meeting Agenda – Fluoridation Motion to
Consult – Consultation Options

 

o 26 October 2023 Council Meeting Agenda – Water Treatment Plants
Contract Award

 

The material represents our best efforts to locate relevant material.
However, the search process is by no means an exact science and given the
broad scope of your request it is possible that there may be other items
of relevance that have unintentionally been missed in the search.

 

I hope this information is of some assistance in responding to your
request. If you believe we have not responded appropriately to your
request, you have the right by way of complaint, under section 27(3) of
the Act, to apply to the Ombudsman to seek an investigation and review of
the decision.

 

 

Regards,

Georgina Ellis

Official Information Requests Team  

Whangarei District Council | Te Iwitahi | Private Bag 9023, Whangarei 0148
| [2]www.wdc.govt.nz

WDC Call Centre 09 430 4200

 

[3]WDC - Final email sig

 

 

 

 

Dear Whangarei District Council,

 

I’m writing to request clarification on the council’s ongoing decision
regarding water fluoridation. Given the recent developments and government
directives, I would like to better understand the rationale behind the
council’s position and its potential consequences for the community.

 

Firstly, I request copies of all official communications between the
council and the Ministry of Health regarding this issue. This should
include letters, emails, and any related documents that provide insight
into the discussions and directives issued. Transparency is key, and it
would be helpful for the public to have access to this information.

 

I understand that legal action may be pursued in response to the
directive. Could the council clarify what legal steps are being
considered, the possible outcomes, and how these proceedings might
financially impact ratepayers? A breakdown of expected costs, including
legal fees and associated expenses, would be greatly appreciated.

 

There have been reports suggesting that councillors could face fines or
other penalties. Could you provide a detailed explanation of the specific
legal implications for both individual councillors and the council as a
whole? Additionally, are there any precedents in New Zealand where elected
officials have been fined or penalized in a similar situation?

 

Lastly, I am interested in the decision-making process surrounding this
issue. Was there any public consultation conducted before the decision was
made? If not, is there an intention to engage with the community further
before finalizing the council’s position? Given the significant public
health implications, it would be reassuring to know how the views of the
local community are being taken into account.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Bertha Feller

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.wdc.govt.nz/Services/Water-s...
2. Link to the Whangarei District Council's website.
http://www.wdc.govt.nz/