Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) directs Kawerau to fluoridate drinking water

28 July 2022

KAWERAU District Council confirms it has received a Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) directive to fluoridate the drinking water supply.

On Wednesday July 27, Council received a formal letter from the Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield instructing that fluoridation of the district’ would be required from 31 January 2023.

The letter outlined that in accordance with section 116I of the Act, Council is required to ensure that by 31 January 2023 to fluoridate at the optimal levels (between 0.7ppm to 1ppm, parts per million) at the Kawerau supply.

Dr Bloomfield’s letter said that fluoridation of the Kawerau drinking water supply is an important step in improving the oral health of our communities.

It also confirmed the Manatū Hauora (the Ministry of Health) would work constructively with Council to implement these important changes.

In May 2022, Council had responded to ministry requests for information about the infrastructure and capabilities of the district’s drinking water supply and its ability to fluoridate Chief Executive Russell George explained.

“Having now received this directive from Manatū Hauora (the Ministry of Health), we will be working towards implementation once the capital works have been arranged and completed.”

“We will keep the community informed about those implementation timelines as they are confirmed.”

[ENDS]

For more information, please contact 027 464 3785 Tania Humberstone, Communications and Engagement Manager, Kawerau District Council.