Kia ora Sharna

 

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act), received by the Ministry of Health on 26 October 2025. You
requested:

 

Pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA), I am writing to
request full access to all official information held by the Ministry of
Health relating to:

FLUORIDE SUPPLY CHAIN
1. Authority & Purpose
This request is made to obtain complete disclosure of all aspects of
fluoride chemicals used in public water supplies in New Zealand inclusing
all [District/Region]. The purpose is to identify all suppliers,
transporters, contractors, decision-makers, environmental oversight, and
safety compliance, leaving no element undisclosed.
2. Information Requested
A. Supply & Production
1. Identify the factory/facility where the fluoride chemicals supplied to
New Zealand water systems are produced, including location, operator, and
production process. Include all applicable laws, regulations, licenses,
and international standards governing manufacture.
2. Identify all upstream raw material suppliers, including chemical
sources such as phosphate rock suppliers, and any subcontracted labs or
blending facilities.
3. Provide the full chemical composition, including chemical names,
chemical formulae, and concentrations of all fluoride compounds added to
the public water supply.
4. Provide all Safety Data Sheets (SDS), production records, and
toxicology studies related to the fluoride chemicals supplied.
5. Provide details of any chemical by-products, waste, or residues
generated during production, storage, transport, or dosing, including
their environmental and human health impacts.
6. Disclose all corporate entities, owners, and shareholders that profit
from the manufacture or sale of fluoride chemicals in New Zealand.
7. Clarify whether New Zealand currently manufactures fluoride chemicals
domestically, imports ready-made fluoride chemicals, or both, including
details of manufacturers and import sources.
B. Transport & Logistics
8. List all companies involved in transporting fluoride chemicals from
production sites to distributors, councils, and water treatment
facilities. Include freight, shipping, and air transport entities.
9. Provide shipping manifests, including transport schedules, storage
conditions, and handling protocols (personal driver details may be
redacted).
10. Include all applicable laws, licenses, and regulatory frameworks under
which these transporters operate, particularly regarding hazardous
substances.
C. Contractors & Distribution
11. Identify all contractors, consultants, and water treatment personnel
who handle, dose, or monitor fluoride chemicals.
12. Provide full contract details, including terms of service, duration,
performance bonds, insurance coverage, and any professional certifications
required.
13. Disclose all corporate structures, shareholders, and profit
arrangements related to these contractors.
D. Policy & Decision-Makers
14. List all individuals, boards, committees, and advisers who approve or
recommend fluoride use in New Zealand, including councils, Ministry of
Health, and public health associations.
15. Include all corporate affiliations, financial interests, and advisory
bodies that influence decisions regarding fluoride.
E. Compliance, Oversight & Safety
16. Provide copies of all risk assessments, environmental impact
statements, monitoring reports, and internal or external evaluations
regarding fluoride safety, dosing, and public health.
17. Provide documentation of regulatory compliance, inspections, or audits
by government or third-party authorities.
18. Disclose any incidents, complaints, or breaches relating to fluoride
chemical safety, handling, or dosing.
F. Global Precedents & Case Studies
19. Provide documented information on countries that have ceased or
restricted water fluoridation, including Germany, Sweden, Japan,
Netherlands, Finland, Israel, Hungary, and the United States (Utah).
20. Include international case law, peer-reviewed studies, legal
decisions, or environmental assessments showing health or environmental
risks, chemical by-products, or public health outcomes linked to fluoride.
21. Provide references to any policy or scientific evidence considered
when approving or maintaining fluoridation in New Zealand
 

 

The reference number for your request is H2025074650. As required under
the Act, the Ministry will endeavour to respond to your request no later
than 20 working days after the day your request was
received: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

 

If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch ([2][email address]).

 

 

Ngā mihi 
 
  

OIA Services Team

Ministry of Health  | Manatū Hauora 

M[3]inistry of Health information releases 

 

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...

Kia ora,
Thank you for your request for official information received on 26 October
2025 requesting:
FLUORIDE SUPPLY CHAIN
1. Authority & Purpose
This request is made to obtain complete disclosure of all aspects of
fluoride chemicals used in public water supplies in New Zealand inclusing
all [District/Region]. The purpose is to identify all suppliers,
transporters, contractors, decision-makers, environmental oversight, and
safety compliance, leaving no element undisclosed.
2. Information Requested
A. Supply & Production
1. Identify the factory/facility where the fluoride chemicals supplied to
New Zealand water systems are produced, including location, operator, and
production process. Include all applicable laws, regulations, licenses,
and international standards governing manufacture.
2. Identify all upstream raw material suppliers, including chemical
sources such as phosphate rock suppliers, and any subcontracted labs or
blending facilities.
3. Provide the full chemical composition, including chemical names,
chemical formulae, and concentrations of all fluoride compounds added to
the public water supply.
4. Provide all Safety Data Sheets (SDS), production records, and
toxicology studies related to the fluoride chemicals supplied.
5. Provide details of any chemical by-products, waste, or residues
generated during production, storage, transport, or dosing, including
their environmental and human health impacts.
6. Disclose all corporate entities, owners, and shareholders that profit
from the manufacture or sale of fluoride chemicals in New Zealand.
7. Clarify whether New Zealand currently manufactures fluoride chemicals
domestically, imports ready-made fluoride chemicals, or both, including
details of manufacturers and import sources.
B. Transport & Logistics
8. List all companies involved in transporting fluoride chemicals from
production sites to distributors, councils, and water treatment
facilities. Include freight, shipping, and air transport entities.
9. Provide shipping manifests, including transport schedules, storage
conditions, and handling protocols (personal driver details may be
redacted).
10. Include all applicable laws, licenses, and regulatory frameworks under
which these transporters operate, particularly regarding hazardous
substances.
C. Contractors & Distribution
11. Identify all contractors, consultants, and water treatment personnel
who handle, dose, or monitor fluoride chemicals.
12. Provide full contract details, including terms of service, duration,
performance bonds, insurance coverage, and any professional certifications
required.
13. Disclose all corporate structures, shareholders, and profit
arrangements related to these contractors.
D. Policy & Decision-Makers
14. List all individuals, boards, committees, and advisers who approve or
recommend fluoride use in New Zealand, including councils, Ministry of
Health, and public health associations.
15. Include all corporate affiliations, financial interests, and advisory
bodies that influence decisions regarding fluoride.
E. Compliance, Oversight & Safety
16. Provide copies of all risk assessments, environmental impact
statements, monitoring reports, and internal or external evaluations
regarding fluoride safety, dosing, and public health.
17. Provide documentation of regulatory compliance, inspections, or audits
by government or third-party authorities.
18. Disclose any incidents, complaints, or breaches relating to fluoride
chemical safety, handling, or dosing.
F. Global Precedents & Case Studies
19. Provide documented information on countries that have ceased or
restricted water fluoridation, including Germany, Sweden, Japan,
Netherlands, Finland, Israel, Hungary, and the United States (Utah).
20. Include international case law, peer-reviewed studies, legal
decisions, or environmental assessments showing health or environmental
risks, chemical by-products, or public health outcomes linked to fluoride.
21. Provide references to any policy or scientific evidence considered
when approving or maintaining fluoridation in New Zealand
The Ministry of Health has decided to extend the period of time available
to respond to your request under section 15A of the Official Information
Act 1982 (the Act) as the consultations necessary to make a decision on
the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot
reasonably be made within the original time limit.
This is because some of the information you seek is held by other agencies
subject to the Act, as well as relevant local bodies subject to the Local
Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. The Ministry is
still undergoing consultation with several third-parties. Please note that
the Ministry does not hold much of this information, but we will look to
transfer your request to the relevant bodies as soon as practicable to
assist you and your request. 
You can now expect a response to your request on, or before, Friday 5
December 2025.
You have the right, under section 28 of the Act, to ask the Ombudsman to
review my decision to extend the time available to respond to your
request.
Ngā mihi 
  

OIA Services Team

Ministry of Health  | Manatū Hauora 

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 

show quoted sections

References

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1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...

Kia ora,
Please find attached a letter regarding the partial transfer of your
request for official information. 
Ngā mihi 
  

OIA Services Team

Ministry of Health  | Manatū Hauora 

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 

show quoted sections

References

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1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...

OIA ref: CAS-01982-V4M6K1

 

Tēnā koe Sharna,

 

This email acknowledges that the Ministry of Health has transferred parts
of your information request to the Authority, as outlined in their letter
to you dated 26 November 2025. The Authority will now respond to your
request under the Official Information Act 1982.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

[1]Shape, arrow Description automatically generated 

 

Jessie Johnson-Smith [2](she/her) | Governance and Performance Advisor

Ngāti Porou | Ngāi Tūhoe

 

Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai

Level 2, 10 Brandon Street

PO Box 628

Wellington 6140, New Zealand

[3]taumataarowai.govt.nz

 

 

 

 

If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message along with any attachments.  Please
treat the contents of this message as private and confidential. Ngā mihi

 

 

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Tēnā koe Sharna

  

Thank you for your Official Information Act request received by WorkSafe
New Zealand on 26 November 2025. 

  

We will respond to your request in accordance with the provisions of the
Official Information Act as soon as reasonably practicable and not later
than 20 working days. 

  

If we need to extend this timeframe, we will let you know before that date
with the reasons why. 

  

Please contact [1][email address] if you have any
questions. 

  

Ngā mihi, 

 

 

Ministerial Services 

8 Willis Street 

Wellington 

W    [2]worksafe.govt.nz 

[3][IMG]  [4][IMG]  [5][IMG]  [6][IMG]

[7][IMG]

 

 

[8]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services

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8. http://www.govt.nz/

Kia ora Sharna

 

I hope that this email finds you well.

As part of your Official Information Act request that was originally sent
to the Ministry of Health, a section of your request has been transferred
to New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for response and review.
Specifically, the question asked is:

 

"10. Include all applicable laws, licenses, and regulatory frameworks
under which these transporters operate, particularly regarding hazardous
substances.".

 

Please find the below:

 

Licences required: The appropriate licence endorsement that a driver or
operator transporting goods of this nature would need is their "D
endorsement". Depending on the size of vehicle that is transporting the
goods or in this case fluoride, the driver or operator would need their
Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 or Class 5 Licence class.

 

For more information on the Dangerous Good Endorsement, please view the
below link:

 

[1]Applying for a dangerous goods (D) endorsement | NZ Transport Agency
Waka Kotahi

 

Regulatory Framework: Under the Land Transport Act 1998, there is the
"Dangerous Good 2005" rule that sets out legal requirements for the safe
transport of dangerous good by road or rail.

 

[2]Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005 | NZ Transport Agency Waka
Kotahi

 

I believe that the above has answered the questions that were asked within
your OIA request but if you need any further clarification, please do not
hesitate to get back in touch.

 

All the best.

 

Ngā mihi

 

Morgan Greene

 

Customer Relations Advisor

Te Mahau - Customer Services

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

Palmerston North Office 

Private Bag 11777, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand

 

______ _____________________________________

 

References

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1. https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences...
2. https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules...

Kia ora Sharna

 

On behalf of the Chief Executive, Steven Perdia, this email is to
acknowledge receipt of your request for information.  Your request was
transferred in part to us by the Ministry of Health today, and we will now
process it under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings
Act 1987 (LGOIMA). I have attached the transfer letter with your request
included, with the parts that have been transferred to us and to which we
can respond, highlighted.

 

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and in
any event no later than 19 January 2026, being 20 working days after the
day your request was received by us. Please note that as the last
statutory working day of 2025 is 19 December 2025, and the next working
day is 11 January 2026, the 20 working days period for your request will
end on 19 January 2026.  However we will make every effort to send our
response to you as soon as possible.

 

Please note that under the Act we are permitted to charge for making the
information available, including gathering, collating and preparing it for
release. If that is the case, we will provide an estimate of the cost in
accordance with our Fees and Charges Schedule, before we proceed to
collate the information. 

 

Please see our public website for information about making an official
information request and the Local Government Official Information and
Meetings Act 1987 under which such information is
given: [1]https://www.whakatane.govt.nz/contact-us...

 

If you have any further enquiries, please call 07 306 0500 or respond to
this email accordingly.

 

Nāku noa, nā,

 

 

Ana-Maria Bewley
Administration Assistant .
KAITAUTOKO MAHI WHAKARITE 

WHAKATĀNE DISTRICT COUNCIL   |   TE KAUNIHERA Ā-ROHE O WHAKATĀNE
P +64 07 306 0500
E [2][email address]    W [3]whakatane.govt.nz
14 Commerce Street, Private Bag 1002, Whakatāne 3158, New Zealand

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The content of this email is confidential information and may also be
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intended only for the person named above. If this email is not addressed
to you, you
must not use, read, distribute or copy this document. If you have
received this document
by mistake, please call us on 0800 WDCICT and destroy the original
message. Thank you.

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Kia ora Sharna,

 

Thank you for your official information request received by Council on
Monday 1 December 2025.

 

Council will respond as soon as practical, no later than 20 business days
from receipt of your request.

 

Please note:

When counting business days, day 1 is the first working day after the
request is received by us, and means any day of the week other than:

o Saturday’s and Sunday’s,
o National public holidays, and regional anniversary days in the
relevant region, and
o The holiday period from 22 December 2025 to 9 January 2026
(inclusive).

 

 

Kind regards,

Stella
Customer Service Representative
Mangai Ratonga Kiritaki
 
P 07 571 8008 | FP 0800 926 732
1484 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga 3112
[1]westernbay.govt.nz | [2]Facebook | [3]Instagram | [4]LinkedIn

 

 

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The information contained in this message (and any accompanying documents)
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 intended only for the recipient(s) named above.  If the reader of this
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copying, disclosure, retention or distribution by any means of the
information is strictly prohibited.

If you have received this message in error, please notify the writer
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Sharna

 

I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your official information request
dated 01/12/2025 for H2025074650 Fluoride Supply Chain Information
CRM:0001645.

 

We received your request on 01/12/2025. We will endeavour to respond to
your request as soon as possible and in any event no later than
08/01/2026, being 20 working days after the day your request was received.
If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of
an extension of that timeframe.

 

The council may charge for this information if it will take longer than 1
hour to research and collate or is required to copy more than 20 pages of
material.  If this is the case you will be advised of the estimated cost
before we proceed with the information request. 

 

There is also the possibility that your request may be made publicly
available on our website, with personal details removed.

 

You will also need to confirm (email confirmation) that you accept these
costs before the request is processed.

 

Your correspondence has been referred to Andrew Guthrie for response. 

If any additional factors come to light which are relevant to your
request, please do not hesitate to contact us so that these can be taken
into account.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Amanda Watson

Customer Services Team Leader

ASHBURTON DISTRICT COUNCIL

2 Baring Square East PO Box 94  P (03) 307 7700 [1]www.ashburtondc.govt.nz
[2]http://www.ashburtondc.govt.nz/

Ashburton Ashburton 7740 E [3][email address]

 

 

 

From: Alexander Rees <[4][email address]>
Sent: Monday, 1 December 2025 10:03
To: [5][email address]; [6][email address];
[7][email address]; [8][email address];
[9][email address]; [10][email address]; ADC Customer
Services <[11][email address]>; [12][email address];
[13][email address]; [14][email address];
[15][email address]; [16][email address];
[17][email address]; [18][email address];
[19][email address]; [20][email address];
[21][email address]; [22][email address];
[23][email address]; [24][email address]; [25][email address];
[26][email address];
[27][email address];
[28][email address]; [29][email address];
[30][email address]; [31][email address];
[32][email address];
[33][email address]; [34][email address];
[35][email address]; [36][email address];
[37][email address]; [38][email address]
Cc: Alexander Rees <[39][email address]>
Subject: Querying partial transfer: H2025074650 Fluoride Supply Chain
Information CRM:0001645
Importance: High

 

Kia ora,

 

The Ministry of Health has received an OIA related to fluoridation. Please
see attached – it is quite extensive. The Ministry does not hold much of
this information.

 

We are looking to refuse relevant sections we do not hold, direct the
requester to published OIAs and webpages on our website and transfer the
request to relevant government agencies and local authorities under the
LGOIMA.

 

Please note the Ministry has completed the transferred several parts to
relevant agencies. This includes questions 3, 5, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, and
20. This is detailed in the attached transfer letter.

 

Please can you advise what parts of this request may sit with you – this
could also include some of the questions already transferred above.

 

[40]@[email address] I have been advised that NZDF
Burnham, Woodbourne and Linton Military Camps fluoridates their water
supplies. Please let me know if you think a transfer would be appropriate
in this instance.

 

I understand this is a complex request, which may incur charging costs for
the requester with each local authority. However, the Ministry is
obligated to seek and action a transfer to each relevant local authority
for information you hold, as per ombudsman guidance.

 

Please can you respond COB Wednesday 3 December. The Ministry will look to
complete the transfer(s) of relevant sections of the request no later than
Friday 5 December.

 

Please reach out with any questions you may have.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

Alex Rees

Advisor

Government Services

Corporate Services Group | Te Pou Tiaki

[41][email address]

Ministry of Health, 133 Molesworth Street Thorndon, Wellington 6011

 
[43]Facebook icon [44]Bluesky
[42]Ministry of Health New social media icon [45]X (formerly
Zealand Twitter) icon [46]YouTube
icon [47]LinkedIn icon

 

 

show quoted sections

Amanda Watson  |  Customer Services Team Leader 
DDI 033077873  | M 0276053510

[48][IMG]

 

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37. mailto:[email address]
38. mailto:[email address]
39. mailto:[email address]
40. mailto:[email address]
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42. http://www.health.govt.nz/
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48. https://www.ashburtondc.govt.nz/

Tēnā koe | Dear Sharna

 

Please find attached an acknowledgment letter with regards to your request
for information under LGOIMA. Your request has been forwarded onto the
relevant business group to respond to. 

 

If any additional factors come to light which may be relevant to your
request, please do not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible so that
these can be taken into account.

 

Ngā mihi | Best regards

Neisha

 

For request(s) for information made under Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA)

Email - [email address]

Online -
https://www.horowhenua.govt.nz/Council/D...

 

For request(s) made under the Privacy Act 2020

Email - [email address]

Online -
https://www.horowhenua.govt.nz/Council/D...

 

Please note my days of work are 630am to 3pm, Monday to Friday

You can reach me via my cell phone, Teams or email during work hours

 

MON TUE WED THU FRI
✓ WFH ✓ ✓ WFH

 

 

LGOIMA Officer

Waea Mahi | (06) 366 0999

126 Oxford Street, Levin
Private Bag 4002, Levin 5540

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Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and
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Kia ora,
Please find attached a letter regarding the partial transfer of your
request for official information.
Ngā mihi 
  

OIA Services Team

Ministry of Health  | Manatū Hauora 

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 

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Kia ora,
Please find attached the response for your request for official
information. 
Ngā mihi 
  

OIA Services Team

Ministry of Health  | Manatū Hauora 

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 

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References

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Kia ora,
Please find attached a letter regarding the partial transfer of your
request for official information.
Apologies, it is now attached to this email.
Ngā mihi
  

OIA Services Team

Ministry of Health  | Manatū Hauora 

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 

show quoted sections

References

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