The Whangārei Mayor believes more people will accept a decision around water fluoridation - if it comes from councils.

New Zealand First's new Members Bill seeks to remove the Director General of Health's central authority on fluoridation - and mandate binding local referendums.

It comes as Whangārei District Council's under fire - as the only council refusing to fluoridate under current mandates.

Mayor Vince Cocurullo says told Francesca Rudkin Whangārei's never fluoridated and is probably due for a referendum.