As part of the No More Glyphosate NZ Council Herbicide Transparency Project, we asked councils across New Zealand about herbicide use in public spaces, the products being used, the policies governing their use, and whether these practices have been reviewed in recent years.
New Plymouth District Council provided information about weed-control products used across parks and reserves, alternative weed-management methods, the policies guiding herbicide use, and its review process for chemical products.
Quick Summary
| Topic | Response |
|---|---|
| Glyphosate-based herbicides used? | Yes |
| Other herbicides used? | Not specified |
| Alternative weed-control methods used? | Yes |
| Product list referenced? | Yes |
| Herbicide policy referenced? | Yes (attachment not received) |
| Application locations identified? | Yes |
| Application frequency explained? | Yes |
| Public notification mentioned? | No |
| Opt-out option mentioned? | No |
| Last review identified? | Yes |
| Supporting documents supplied? | Knock Out 360 SDS |
What We Learned
New Plymouth District Council advised that herbicides continue to be used across parks, reserves, sports grounds, gardens, and other council-managed public spaces.
The council also highlighted a range of non-chemical and integrated weed-management approaches designed to reduce reliance on herbicides. These include mulching, hand release clearing, weed eating, mowing regimes, companion planting, integrated pest management, and the use of eco-certified alternatives.
Unlike some councils that rely primarily on scheduled spraying programmes, New Plymouth District Council advised that herbicides are applied seasonally and only when required.
The council also confirmed that its chemical list is reviewed every six months.
Following a clarification request, the council confirmed that the glyphosate-based product currently used by council contractors or staff is Knock Out 360.
Where Herbicides Are Used
According to the council, weed-control products are used across a range of public spaces, including:
- Parks
- Reserves
- Sports grounds
- Gardens
The council advised that there is no fixed spraying schedule. Instead, products are applied seasonally and as required depending on operational needs and site conditions.
Products Identified
Following a clarification request, the council advised that the glyphosate-based product currently used by council contractors or staff is Knock Out 360.
According to the supplied Safety Data Sheet, Knock Out 360 contains 360 g/L glyphosate as the isopropylamine salt and is described as a non-selective herbicide for the control of a wide range of annual and perennial weeds.
In its response, the council advised that a list of weed-control products was attached. However, the attachment was not included with the material received by No More Glyphosate NZ.
In addition to herbicide use, the council advised that weed management includes a range of non-chemical approaches aimed at reducing overall chemical use where practical.
These methods include:
- Mulching
- Hand release clearing of young plants
- Weed eating
- Mowing regimes, including robot flail mowers
- Companion planting
- Integrated pest management
- Eco-certified alternatives
The council’s response suggests that weed management is approached through a combination of chemical and non-chemical methods rather than reliance on a single control strategy.
Policies and Reviews
New Plymouth District Council advised that herbicide use is guided by relevant New Zealand legislation, including the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO).
The council also referenced internal guidelines and the Taranaki Regional Council Regional Air Quality Plan as part of the framework guiding herbicide use in public spaces.
When asked when the current approach was last formally reviewed, the council advised that its chemical list is reviewed every six months. It also noted that the Taranaki Regional Council Regional Air Quality Plan was last updated in 2023.
Documents Provided
The council supplied:
- Knock Out 360 Safety Data Sheet
Note: The council’s response referred to an attached weed-control product list; however, this attachment was not received by No More Glyphosate NZ.
Why This Matters
Across New Zealand, councils manage thousands of hectares of parks, reserves, sports fields, roadsides, gardens, and other public spaces.
Understanding what products are being used, where they are applied, and what policies guide their use helps communities make informed decisions and contributes to greater transparency around public-space weed management.
The Council Herbicide Transparency Project aims to build a nationwide public record of how herbicides are managed across New Zealand’s local authorities, allowing residents to better understand practices in their own communities.
Information Request Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| LGOIMA Reference | CSM26/505950 |
| Request Submitted | 5 May 2026 |
| Response Received | 13 May 2026 |
Information current as supplied under LGOIMA on 13 May 2026.
Image Source & Attribution
The feature image on this page was created using AI-assisted image generation based on a concept developed by No More Glyphosate NZ and refined for publication in Canva.
