Hamilton City Council last week voted to defer making a decision on water fluoridation.
At a full council meeting last Thursday, councillors voted 7-5 to defer the decision pending the result of a High Court hearing in Taranaki where a legal challenge has been mounted by an anti-fluoride group against South Taranaki Distract Council's decision to fluoridate water supplies.
New Health New Zealand claims adding fluoride to water is a breach of section 11 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act that gives people the right to refuse medical treatment.
Councillors will await Justice Rodney Hansen's decision expected in the new year.
Deputy mayor Gordon Chesterman initially moved to recommence fluoridation. "On completion of the four-day tribunal, I had reasonable doubt about fluoride being added to the water supply," he said.