Fluoridation

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Kia ora, welcome to the Fluoridation project page. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the project, including frequently asked questions, and a timeline of upcoming steps. Check out the information on the right-hand side of this page for all this and more.


What's happening right now (27 May 2025)

Council will begin adding fluoride to the public drinking water supplies at Athenree and Wharawhara as part of a directive from the Director-General of Health.

The directive, issued under the Health Act 1956, requires Council to begin fluoridating the water supplies at the Athenree and Wharawhara water treatment plants. The decision to require fluoridation is made by the Director-General of Health, not local councils.

The affected areas include:

  • Waihī Beach
  • Athenree
  • Tanners Point
  • Katikati
  • The reticulated rural area through to Morton Road

Fluoridation will begin at the Athenree Water Treatment Plant in June 2025, once the newly installed equipment is tested and commissioned. The same process will take place at Wharawhara in July 2025.

Council is responsible for safely implementing the directive and ensuring fluoride is added within the Ministry of Health’s recommended levels (between 0.7 and 1.0 parts per million).

There is no expected disruption to the water supply during this process.

Athenree flouridation area

Wharawhara flouridation area



Why is Council fluoridating some of its water supply?

Council has been directed by the Ministry of Health to fluoridate two water treatment plants in the Western Supply Zone. These treatment plants predominantly supply water to Waihī Beach and Athenree areas - the area covers Waihī Beach, Athenree, Tanners Point, Katikati and the reticulated rural area through to Morton Road.

Council is required to ensure that it is fluoridating at the optimal levels (between 0.7 parts per million to 1 part per million) by 31 July 2026. If Council does not comply with this order, it constitutes an offence under the Health Act.

At this stage Council has not received further direction to fluoridate Western Bay of Plenty’s remaining WTPs (Muttons, Pongakawa, Ohourere, Youngson Road, Tahawai and Waihī Beach).


What about the High Court ruling in 2023 about the Ministry of Health directive being unlawful?

The 2023 high court ruling about the Ministry of Health directive being unlawful hasn’t quashed the direction to fluoridate, so we will continue to proceed unless instructed otherwise by the Ministry of Health – we need a formal instruction to stop.

Kia ora, welcome to the Fluoridation project page. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the project, including frequently asked questions, and a timeline of upcoming steps. Check out the information on the right-hand side of this page for all this and more.


What's happening right now (27 May 2025)

Council will begin adding fluoride to the public drinking water supplies at Athenree and Wharawhara as part of a directive from the Director-General of Health.

The directive, issued under the Health Act 1956, requires Council to begin fluoridating the water supplies at the Athenree and Wharawhara water treatment plants. The decision to require fluoridation is made by the Director-General of Health, not local councils.

The affected areas include:

  • Waihī Beach
  • Athenree
  • Tanners Point
  • Katikati
  • The reticulated rural area through to Morton Road

Fluoridation will begin at the Athenree Water Treatment Plant in June 2025, once the newly installed equipment is tested and commissioned. The same process will take place at Wharawhara in July 2025.

Council is responsible for safely implementing the directive and ensuring fluoride is added within the Ministry of Health’s recommended levels (between 0.7 and 1.0 parts per million).

There is no expected disruption to the water supply during this process.

Athenree flouridation area

Wharawhara flouridation area



Why is Council fluoridating some of its water supply?

Council has been directed by the Ministry of Health to fluoridate two water treatment plants in the Western Supply Zone. These treatment plants predominantly supply water to Waihī Beach and Athenree areas - the area covers Waihī Beach, Athenree, Tanners Point, Katikati and the reticulated rural area through to Morton Road.

Council is required to ensure that it is fluoridating at the optimal levels (between 0.7 parts per million to 1 part per million) by 31 July 2026. If Council does not comply with this order, it constitutes an offence under the Health Act.

At this stage Council has not received further direction to fluoridate Western Bay of Plenty’s remaining WTPs (Muttons, Pongakawa, Ohourere, Youngson Road, Tahawai and Waihī Beach).


What about the High Court ruling in 2023 about the Ministry of Health directive being unlawful?

The 2023 high court ruling about the Ministry of Health directive being unlawful hasn’t quashed the direction to fluoridate, so we will continue to proceed unless instructed otherwise by the Ministry of Health – we need a formal instruction to stop.