Comparison Made Between Fluoridation Mandates and Soviet Rule by New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister
NZ First leader Winston Peters is displeased with a council’s mandate to add fluoride to its drinking water in accordance with a national law.
Dr. Diana Sarfati, New Zealand’s outgoing Director-General of Health who will be stepping down on Feb. 21, has instructed Whangārei District Council to include fluoride in the drinking water provided to its 80,000 residents. This decision, strongly opposed by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, stems from recent legislation granting the director-general of health the authority to require local authorities to introduce fluoride into their water systems.
The Ministry of Health affirms that “over 60 years of international and New Zealand research supports water fluoridation as a safe and effective method to reduce tooth decay,” citing endorsements from the World Health Organization and other health and scientific experts.
“Decisions on significant public health measures like this ought to be made transparently, through debate and local input, not by bureaucratic overreach from Wellington,” stated Peters. “Those who oppose this Bill are essentially opposed to democracy.”
Meanwhile, the Whangārei District Council, based in North Island’s northern region, remains steadfast in resisting the directive.
This week, they reconfirmed their decision made on Nov. 28 to reject fluoridation despite Sarfati’s warning in a letter that defying the directive is a violation of the Health Act, potentially resulting in severe penalties upon conviction by a court.
Legal advisors have cautioned councillors that failing to comply with the fluoridation deadline by March 28 could lead to imprisonment.
Whāngarei Mayor Vince Cocurullo who, along with the city’s councillors, could face prison if they don’t fluoridate their town’s water. Courtesy of Whāngarei District Council
Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo has publicly declared his willingness to go to prison, framing the dispute not as a health issue but as a matter of democratic principles.
Thirteen other councils have also been instructed to fluoridate their water, but none have indicated plans to defy the directive thus far.
“This isn’t about being pro-fluoride or anti-fluoride. It’s about what New Zealanders perceive and uphold as democracy in our nation,” he remarked.
“Individually elected council members are not just facing hefty fines; they’re now under the threat of imprisonment—all for opposing an unwise legislative change and compelling bureaucrats in Wellington to take action.”
