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 those practices have been formally reviewed.
Whanganui District Council provided information about the herbicides used by council contractors, where they are typically applied, the operational controls governing their use, and the processes used to review vegetation-management practices.
Quick Summary
| Topic | Response |
|---|---|
| Glyphosate-based herbicides used? | Yes |
| Other herbicides used? | Yes |
| Active ingredients identified? | Yes |
| Application locations identified? | Yes |
| Application frequency supplied? | General information provided |
| Policy information supplied? | Yes |
| Public notification mentioned? | Yes |
| Formal review identified? | No |
| Supporting documents supplied? | No |
What We Learned
Whanganui District Council advised that contractors use a range of herbicides for weed and vegetation management across public spaces. Rather than identifying specific product names, the council supplied a list of active ingredients commonly used for different weed-control purposes.
The council advised that herbicide application is typically undertaken across most public spaces, including road berms, footpath edges, parks, reserves, landscaped areas, sportsgrounds, and around public infrastructure.
The response also outlined operational requirements governing herbicide use, including operator training, signage, weather monitoring, spray record keeping, and measures designed to reduce interaction with members of the public during spraying activities.
Where Herbicides Are Used
According to the council’s response, herbicides are typically applied in:
- Road berms and footpath edges
- Parks and reserves
- Garden beds and landscaped areas
- Fence lines
- Kerbs
- Around signs and street furniture
- Sportsgrounds
- Playground perimeters
The council advised that herbicide use varies according to the target weed species, location, and operational requirements.
Products Identified
Whanganui District Council supplied active ingredients rather than specific product names.
| Active Ingredient |
|---|
| Glyphosate |
| Glufosinate |
| Picloram |
| Triclopyr |
| Dicamba |
| Metsulfuron |
| Clopyralid |
| Mesotrione |
| Carfentrazone |
| Aminopyralid |
| Terbuthylazine |
The council advised that these active ingredients are used for different weed-control purposes depending on the target species, location, and application method.
Application Methods and Frequency
The council advised that herbicides may be applied using:
- UTV-mounted boom spraying
- Hand-operated knapsack spraying
- Targeted gel application methods
Treatment frequency varies depending on seasonal growth, weed species, site conditions, and operational requirements.
According to the council, some high-growth urban areas may be treated multiple times each year, while other locations are treated only as required for maintenance or pest plant control.
Policies, Standards and Oversight
The council advised that herbicide use is governed by:
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 requirements
- Environmental Protection Authority approvals and controls
- Manufacturer label requirements
- Growsafe certification requirements
- Council contract specifications
- Operational procedures
- Contractor herbicide-use policies and guidelines
The response noted that contractors are expected to comply with both regulatory requirements and council operational expectations when undertaking weed-control activities.
Public Notification and Safety Measures
Whanganui District Council advised that operational practices used by contractors include:
- Use of public signage during spraying operations
- Timing spraying activities to minimise public interaction
- Suspending spraying when members of the public or pets approach treatment areas
- Monitoring weather conditions, including wind speed and direction
- Maintaining spray diaries and reporting records
- Using personal protective equipment in accordance with product label requirements
The council also advised that advance public notice of spraying programmes may be provided through council communication channels in some circumstances.
Review and Safety Considerations
The council advised that weed and vegetation-management practices are reviewed periodically through operational planning, contract renewals, service reviews, and annual work programming processes.
While no single standalone review document relating specifically to herbicide use across all public spaces was identified, the council advised that practices are reviewed on an ongoing basis in response to operational performance, regulatory requirements, environmental considerations, community feedback, and available alternative methods.
Observations
Whanganui District Council provided a detailed operational overview of herbicide use across public spaces, outlining the active ingredients used, the locations where herbicides are applied, and the controls governing their application.
Unlike many councils that supplied product names, Whanganui District Council provided a list of active ingredients used by contractors. This provides a broad overview of the types of herbicides used across different weed-management programmes but does not identify the specific commercial products being applied.
The response also provided useful information about operational controls, including signage requirements, weather monitoring, public-safety measures, and record-keeping practices.
While no standalone herbicide review document was identified, the council indicated that herbicide-use practices are reviewed through a range of ongoing operational and contractual processes.
Why This Matters
Councils manage parks, reserves, roadsides, sportsgrounds, footpaths, and other public spaces used by residents every day.
Understanding what herbicides are being used, where they are applied, and what safeguards are in place helps improve 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 | Not supplied |
| Request Submitted | 5 May 2026 |
| Response Received | 18 May 2026 |
Information current as supplied under LGOIMA on 18 May 2026.
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