Bent spoon awardEach year the New Zealand Skeptics bestows the Bent Spoon Award for the New Zealand organisation which has shown the most egregious gullibility or lack of critical thinking in public coverage of, or commentary on, a science-related issue.
The 2013 Bent Spoon Award is awarded to the Hamilton City Council.

  • For ignoring the decision of their citizens made in 2006 in a citizen referendum that decisively supported continuation of fluoridation in Hamilton’s water supply.
  • For the councillors best qualified to make the decision removing themselves due to perceived “conflict” with their Health Board roles.
  • For the failure to do quality research as shown by the amount of poor quality, one sided information presented.
  • For the failure to consult reliable health professionals.
  • and finally, for the incredibly ill informed decision to remove fluoride from their water supply.