Kerikeri and Kaitāia water supplies to be fluoridated from 31 July

Fluoridation of the Kerikeri and Kaitāia council water supplies will begin from Friday 31 July 2026, fulfilling a direction from the Director-General of Health under the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021.

Since November 2021, the Director-General of Health has had the authority to direct local authorities to fluoridate public drinking water supplies under the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021. Councils are legally required to comply with those directions.

While Far North District Council did not make the decision to fluoridate, it is responsible for implementing the direction and has installed the equipment needed to add fluoride to both water supplies. The council's role is to operate the treatment systems and ensure the required fluoride level is maintained.

Kerikeri and Kaitāia were identified as high-priority locations through an assessment by the Director-General of Health. While other public water supplies in the Far North may be considered in the future, the Director-General of Health has made no further directions at this stage.

The target fluoride concentration will be 0.8 milligrams per litre (mg/L), in line with the direction from the Director-General of Health.

Customer connected to the Kerikeri and Kaitāia water supplies are unlikely to notice any change in taste or appearance of their drinking water.

According to the Ministry of Health, the benefits of community water fluoridation are seen over time through reduced tooth decay across the community, rather than through any immediate physical change to the water.

People with questions about the health effects, safety or scientific evidence relating to fluoridation are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Health. Find out more about the fluoridation of the Kerikeri and Kaitāia water supplies on the council’s website here.