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Health Act 1956

Fluoridation of drinking water

116D: Interpretation

You could also call this:

"What special words mean in this law"

When you read this part of the law, you need to understand what some words mean. You will see the term "drinking water" which means water you use for drinking, brushing your teeth, cooking, or washing dishes. It does not include bottled water that is made by a food business and is regulated under the Food Act 2014.

You will also see the term "local authority" which has the same meaning as in section 5(1) of the Local Government Act 2002. The term "local authority supply" refers to the systems and processes used by a local government organisation to supply drinking water to people. It is controlled by a local authority.

The term "local government organisation" refers to a local authority or an organisation that provides water services and is controlled by a local authority.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS629887.

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116C: Purpose, or

"The Director-General decides if fluoride is added to drinking water."

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116E: Director-General may direct local authority to add or not to add fluoride to drinking water, or

"The boss of health can decide if fluoride is added to drinking water or not."

Part 5AFluoridation of drinking water

116DInterpretation

  1. In this Part,—

    drinking water—

    1. means water that is used for—
      1. human consumption; or
        1. oral hygiene; or
          1. preparing food, drink, or other products for human consumption; or
            1. washing utensils that are used for eating and drinking, or for preparing, serving, or storing food or drink for human consumption; but
            2. does not include bottled water that is prepared or manufactured by a food business, and is regulated, under the Food Act 2014

              local authority has the same meaning as in section 5(1) of the Local Government Act 2002

                local authority supply means the infrastructure and processes that—

                1. are used by a local government organisation to abstract, store, treat, transmit, or transport drinking water for supply to consumers; and
                  1. are controlled by a local authority

                    local government organisation means a local authority, council-controlled organisation, or subsidiary of a council-controlled organisation that provides water services.

                    Notes
                    • Section 116D: inserted, on , by section 5 of the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 44).