📚 Community Education Requirements

When the government speaks of Treaty obligations, of protecting rights, of standing for the people—the words sound powerful. But when the very real issue of water safety for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and infants comes into focus, silence falls.

It’s as if the system can only rally when it’s theatre—when it’s about a headline, a stage, or a salary. Yet when it comes to the health of their own whānau, their own tamariki, their own mokopuna, suddenly there are no raised voices, no lifted brows, no urgency.

Here are the facts:

• Pregnant women are vulnerable to transplacental exposure.

• Breastfeeding mothers can pass fluoride through breastmilk.

• Infants consume three to four times more fluoride per bodyweight when formula is made with fluoridated water (see CDC Fluoridation FAQ; CDC Recommendations PDF).

• Māori communities face even greater risk, due to reliance on community water, disproportionate health burdens, and the protection of taonga species guaranteed under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

This is not speculation. This is absolute fact.

So we have asked, directly and on the record:

What is Tauranga City Council’s community education program for these three groups—pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and infants—as well as Māori communities? And when will it be activated?

Because this is not a matter of debate or theatre. It is a matter of duty—of care, of truth, and of protecting the most vulnerable among us.

Megan Hamilton she/her
Team Leader: Water Education Programmes

Tauranga City Council

Subject: Community Education on Vulnerable Cohorts

Kia ora Megan,

In your official capacity as: Community Education Team Leader, and that 'community education' is a core duty of care:

I wish to bring to your attention the established evidence that fluorosilicic acid exposure poses increased risks to vulnerable groups:

• Pregnant women – transplacental exposure has been associated with developmental impacts.

• Breastfeeding mothers – fluoride is transferred via breastmilk.

• Infants – fluoride dose per body weight is 3–4 times higher. For example, the CDC states: “If your child is only consuming infant formula mixed with fluoridated water, there may be an increased chance for mild dental fluorosis” (CDC Fluoridation FAQ).
  The CDC also notes that extended use of formula mixed with fluoridated water is a risk factor for fluorosis (CDC Recommendations).

In addition, Māori communities face disproportionate risk due to higher reliance on community water, existing health inequities, and the direct impact on taonga species. Under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, this risk requires specific acknowledgment and education.

These references establish that risk to these cohorts is not a matter of opinion but an absolute fact.

As Team Leader for Water Education Programs, could you please confirm:

1. What is Tauranga City Council’s community education program for these three groups (pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, infants),
   and for Māori communities at disproportionate risk, and

2. When will it be activated?

I have copied in Councillors Hemi Rolleston & Hautapu Baker as this issue is of particular importance to Māori communities and their health outcomes.

Ngāmihi | Kind regards

Ian Stephenson

Candidate for Mayor 2028​