New Zealand First has introduced a member’s bill that would return the power of fluoridation decisions to local communities, shifting authority away from central government.
The Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill aims to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021, which granted the Director-General of Health the authority to mandate fluoridation of local water supplies. Instead, the proposed legislation would require local councils to hold binding referendums on whether to fluoridate their drinking water.
According to NZ First leader Winston Peters, the bill is about restoring democratic decision-making at the community level. “New Zealand First has always believed such a significant decision about local fluoridation needs to be decided by the people themselves,” he stated.
The party argues that public health measures like fluoridation should be determined through open debate and local input, rather than imposed by government officials in Wellington.
“The only people who would oppose this bill are those who oppose democracy,” Peters added.
If passed, the legislation would amend both the Local Government Act 2002 and the Health Act 1956 to ensure that fluoridation decisions are made through public referendums.
This article was originally published by the Daily Telegraph New Zealand.
