Christchurch City Council is doing all it can to avoid an estimated $63 million bill to fluoridate the city's water.
The Ministry of Health has set its sights on fluoridating 100 percent of public water sources, with the first 14 councils told to take action last month.
Otautahi's bill is eye-wateringly high because it has 50 separate sources - more than any other region.
Councillors have already voted to not pay a cent towards the big price tag and are investigating if they can avoid water fluoridation altogether.
Niva Chittock reports.
