We agree that local councils aren't necessarily best placed to make these decisions, and we, of course, recognise the health reforms, which also preclude DHBs. However, what we must maintain is the ability of tangata whenua local communities to engage with these decisions. Placing policy decisions in the hands of one Government bureaucrat runs completely against Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our decision-making rights as tangata whenua. Under the current proposals there will be no Treaty framework for fluoride decisions, and there'll be no opportunity for public consultation, let alone dedicated mana whenua engagement. Tangata whenua, and indeed all communities, have the right to decide what chemicals our wai supplies are treated with.