The Ruapehu-Taumarunui District Council confirmed their decision to stop fluoridation in Taumarunui. The Council decided to stop fluoridation in the district's only fluoridated town after hearing submissions from the public and overseas expert, Professor Emeritus Paul Connett. Taumarunui had been fluoridated for over 30 years.

Fluoride Action Network applauds the councillors for being open minded enough to listen to new evidence and then acting to protect the health, wellbeing and rights of its residents.

Fluoride is linked to a multitude of adverse health effects including hip fractures, increased bone fractures, thyroid problems and immune dysfunction. A review of published research since 1992 published this month in Neurologia concludes "The prolonged ingestion of fluoride may cause significant damage to health and particularly to the nervous system?.Fluoride is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, which may cause biochemical and functional changes in the nervous system during pregnancy, since the fluoride accumulates in brain tissue before birth,"<a href="#_ftn1">[1]</a>

As a result of the Annual Plan process, Upper Hutt City council also resolved to lobby Wellington Regional to stop fluoridation. Upper Hutt City councillors also heard from Prof Paul Connett, whereas other councils such as Wellington City refused.

"The decisions made by councillors in Taumarunui and Upper Hutt are proof that once people allow themselves to listen, to all the evidence on fluoridation, and not just what the Ministry of Health espouse, that it becomes obvious that fluoridation is ineffective, harmful and a violation of basic human rights" says Mary Byrne, spokesperson for Fluoride Action Network New Zealand.

"It is high time all remaining councils that have fluoridation (now only 25 out of 69), actually examine the issue for themselves instead of blindly relying on bureaucrats from the MOH to do their thinking for them" says Ms Byrne.