The group made their way to the steps of the council building where organisers Sheryl Black and Caelen Huntress gave speeches.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher came out to hear their concerns and to speak to the crowd as well.
Crs Rebecca Ryan and Jim Thomson were also there.
This was an important issue for everyone in the district, Mrs Black said.
"Our health is at stake, our children's health is at stake.
"The Bill of Rights needs to mean something. The right to refuse medical treatment needs to mean something."
She said new studies that have come out since the directive "change everything".
Mrs Black questioned the safety of fluoride and the negative effects it could have on children.
She posed the idea of fluoride-free taps being provided or the installation of a free public tap that filters out fluoride so people can still choose to avoid fluoride if they wished.
"Several other councils have done it. I am sure we can make that happen."
Ultimately, it boiled down to a matter of personal choice, she said.
In her speech, she challenged Mr Kircher to "stand up for the Waitaki community".
Mr Kircher explained the process that council had undertaken.
"We’ve asked for an extension. We’ve asked that they make this a local democracy issue. They have refused that," Mr Kircher said.
"We’re facing the risk of, if we don’t comply, a $200,000 fine and $10,000 a day for ongoing non-compliance.
"That is not something that most ratepayers want."
Mr Kircher encouraged the protesters to write letters to the government.
To finish the protest, Val Popplewell, who has been fighting against fluoride in the water for 68 years, also took the opportunity to speak.
Their fight against fluoride in the water did not stop with the protest, Mrs Black said.
The group hoped to hold a public education evening with science-based information and a speaker from the medical field.
