Anti-fluoride supporters are actively fundraising to cover the cost of a High Court hearing in which they are challenging Hamilton City Council's decision to reintroduce fluoride into the city's water supply.
Supporters of the Safe Water Alternative NZ's (SWANZ) legal challenge held a fundraising banquet last weekend. According to the group's Facebook page more than 100 tickets were sold. But even at $25 a ticket, they still have a long way to go to match the $50,000 council has set aside in the 2014/15 annual plan to meet the expected cost of the court hearing.
Councillor Garry Mallet said the fundraising efforts of the Fluoride Free Hamilton NZ group are admirable.
"Every citizen has a right to their own say and to publicly broadcast and promote their opinions. If they want to fundraise for this cause, I think it's very enterprising of them," he said.
"These guys are very passionate about their cause, I don't think they'll ever give up. But I'm not a fan of spending rate-payers money when it's not necessary. We have a judicial system, a reasonably good one, and if there is an appeal made then of course we will have to seek representation at a cost."