Synopsis
On his final day as New Zealand’s Director-General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield ordered 14 councils to fluoridate their water—a move hailed as “safe, effective, and cost-effective.”
But behind those words lies a deeper story: one where “there is no evidence” often means no studies have ever been done.
Fluoride on the Brain follows the trail from government mandates to suppressed science, revealing how a US toxicology report found fluoride may lower children’s IQ by up to seven points.
Along the way, the film uncovers uncomfortable truths: that the fluoride used is an industrial by-product so hazardous that workers need hazmat suits to handle it, and that children in unfluoridated areas sometimes have better teeth than those who drink treated water.
More than a film about chemicals, this is a story about democracy, choice, and the right to question public health orthodoxy.
Fluoride on the Brain asks: if the evidence is so clear, why won’t they debate it?
About Alistair Harding
Having begun his career as a journalist in New Zealand in 1998, and a brief stint in Australia, Alistair Harding spent 18 years in Singapore working in publishing, branding and then television production before returning to New Zealand in 2018.
During that time, in the corporate world, he created video content for international brands in Singapore, Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as writing and producing documentary content for National Geographic and History Channel.
But it is in the documentary film space that Alistair is most-known by Reality-Check Radio listeners, for his work creating ‘We Came Here for Freedom’ – a two-part film about the 2022 Wellington parliament occupation protest. As well as that, Alistair’s first feature-length film was his award-winning film, ’The Sea Decides’ (2021), about Kiwi adventurer, Grant Rawlinson’s epic quest to travel by human power from Singapore to New Zealand.
As a documentary filmmaker, Alistair brings to RCR a new series – IN/FOCUS – aimed at producing original RCR documentaries on the issues that face New Zealanders that are otherwise not covered on all sides by our legacy media.
Show Notes
14 Mandated Local Authorities – Compliance Date
- Kawerau District Council, Kawerau water supply – 30 June 2023
- Hastings District Council, Hastings water supply – 30 June 2023
- Hastings District Council, Urban water supply – 30 June 2023
- Horowhenua District Council, Levin water supply – 30 April 2024
- New Plymouth District Council, New Plymouth water supply – 31 July 2023
- Waipa District Council, Cambridge water supply – 31 July 2023
- Whangarei District Council, Bream Bay water supply – 31 August 2024
- Whangarei District Council, Whangarei water supply – 30 June 2026
- Rotorua Lakes Council, Central water supply – 30 April 2024
- Rotorua Lakes Council, East water supply – 30 April 2024
- Nelson City Council, Nelson water supply – 30 April 2024
- Far North District Council, Kaitaia water supply – 30 June 2024
- Far North District Council, Kerikeri water supply – 30 June 2024
- Auckland Council, Onehunga water supply – 30 June 2024
- Auckland Council, Waiuku water supply – 30 June 2026
- Tararua District Council, Dannevirke water supply – 30 June 2024
- Waitaki District Council, Oamaru water supply – 30 June 2024
- Tauranga City Council, Tauranga water supply – 31 July 2024
- Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Athenree water supply – 31 July 2025
- Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Wharawhara water supply – 31 July 2025
Filmmaker Alistair Harding reflects on his new special report, Fluoride on the Brain.
He shares his thoughts on the official narrative the public hears via the legacy media and the inherent problems with this.
RCR is committed to providing different perspectives on the topics that matter. To access additional information on the topic of fluoride referenced in Fluoride on the Brain, check out the following sites:
Ministry of Health – Community Water Fluoridation
A page containing information about fluoridation around New Zealand and information about affected councils and regions.
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/preventative-health-wellness/fluoride-and-oral-health/community-water-fluoridation
Fluoride Free NZ
The Fluoride Free NZ website contains factual information, news, and research about fluoride from the opponents-to-fluoride perspective.
https://fluoridefree.org.nz/
National Toxicology Program report Read the latest version of the NTP report here:
ChildSmile Scotland
The ChildSmile Scotland website presents a different approach to tackling childhood tooth decay and oral health education.
https://www.childsmile.nhs.scot/
For the production of Fluoride on the Brain, we approached the New Zealand Dental Association, but unfortunately, no one was able to be interviewed in time for our deadline. However, Dr. Robin Whyman, the NZDA’s Director of Dental Policy has since provided written answers to our questions.
Read the NZDA response here: Fluoride on the Brain – Dental Council Response
InFocus: Fluoride On The Brain
Fluoride On The Brain is an InFocus Documentary by Alistair Harding and RCR, with the objective of keeping the government and industry accountable to the things they say and do.