Official Information Request - fluoridation public liability insurance

Sent: Wednesday, 23 November 2022 9:54 am
Subject: Official Information request - fluoridation and public liability insurance

I refer to your Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (Act) request regarding fluoride in our drinking water, and Council’s Public Liability Insurance Policy.

With regard fluoridation, the decision on whether to fluoridate water supplies is made by the Ministry of Health. Rotorua Lakes Council must comply with any direction received from the Ministry of Health. Council received such a direction in July 2022, a copy of which is attached. Within Appendix 1 of this direction there are links to the following reports regarding the effects of fluoridating water supplies:

• Fluoridation: an evidence update | Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor (June 2021)
• Health effects of water fluoridation: A review of the scientific evidence (August 2014) Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor and Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi
• Water fluoridation to prevent tooth decay | Cochrane Collaboration (June 2015)

Rotorua Lakes Council does not hold any information regarding the long-term effects of fluoride in drinking water supplies.

With regard Council’s Public Liability Insurance, please find attached the summary certificate for Rotorua District Council’s Combined General & Products Liability Insurance. Council withholds providing a copy of the full policy under the following sections of the Act:

• section 7(2)(i) ‘enable any local authority holding the information to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations)’.
• section 7(2)(j) ‘prevent the disclosure or use of official information for improper gain or improper advantage’.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. The Ombudsman’s Office can be contacted by calling 0800 802 602, emailing info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, online at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters’ personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz.

Regards