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 reviewed in recent years.
The goal of this project is to help communities better understand how herbicides are managed in shared public spaces and how readily information about those practices is made available to the public.
Clutha District Council provided information relating to glyphosate use, spraying frequency, contractor requirements, notification procedures, and the current greenspace maintenance contract.
Quick Summary
| Topic | Response |
|---|---|
| Glyphosate-based herbicides used? | Yes |
| Other herbicides used? | Not specified |
| Product names supplied? | No |
| Product list supplied? | No |
| Herbicide policy supplied? | No |
| Application frequency explained? | Yes |
| Public notification process explained? | Yes |
| No Spray Register available? | Yes |
| Formal review identified? | No |
| Usage records supplied? | No |
| Supporting documents supplied? | No |
What We Learned
Clutha District Council confirmed that glyphosate products are used in a range of public spaces throughout the district.
According to the council response, glyphosate is used in parks, playgrounds, berms, footpaths, roadside areas, and cemeteries. Applications are generally undertaken every eight to ten weeks, depending on weather conditions.
This was one of the more specific application-frequency responses received during the project, as many councils simply indicate that spraying occurs “as required” without providing an indicative schedule.
The council advised that spraying is undertaken by its greenspace maintenance contractor and that all materials and application methods must comply with current legislation, regulations, manufacturer instructions, and NZS 8409 Management of Agrichemicals. The contractor is also required to comply with the Resource Management Act and the requirements set out within the council’s greenspace maintenance contract.
The response included several operational conditions intended to reduce exposure to the public and surrounding areas. These include requirements that spraying be undertaken with due regard to public safety, that herbicides not be applied in a manner that causes chemicals to fall outside the intended treatment area, that herbicides not be applied directly upwind of or within five metres of people or animals, and that spraying not occur in shopping areas during business hours.
Public Notification and No Spray Registers
Clutha District Council advised that residents are not generally notified when spraying is planned.
However, the council’s contractor maintains a register of properties where residents may be vulnerable to serious allergic reactions from spraying activities. Where spraying is planned near those properties, at least 48 hours’ notice must be provided verbally and confirmed in writing.
The council also maintains a No Spray Register for residents who do not wish herbicides to be applied to the road frontage outside their property. Residents who join the register are responsible for managing vegetation and pest plants within those areas.
Alternative Methods
The council advised that vinegar-based weed control products have been trialled in the past. However, the response stated that these products were considered more costly to ratepayers and were not sufficiently effective.
Aside from the trial of vinegar-based products, the response did not provide further information regarding alternative weed-management approaches or non-chemical vegetation-control methods.
LGOIMA Process and Response Handling
The council responded to the request on 9 June 2026.
No LGOIMA reference number was provided in the response.
While the request was ultimately answered, the response was received approximately five days after the council’s stated response timeframe.
Unlike some councils participating in this project, Clutha District Council did not provide supporting policy documents, herbicide product lists, operational usage records, or contractor documentation. The response instead consisted of a written summary of current practices and contract requirements.
Documents and Information Provided
The council supplied a written response outlining:
- locations where glyphosate is used,
- typical spraying frequency,
- contractor obligations,
- public notification arrangements,
- allergy notification procedures,
- No Spray Register provisions,
- comments relating to alternative products,
- and information regarding the current greenspace maintenance contract.
No supporting documents were provided with the response.
Observations and Outstanding Questions
While Clutha District Council confirmed that glyphosate products are used in public spaces, the response did not identify the specific products being applied.
The original request asked what herbicide or weed-control products are currently used in public spaces. The response confirmed the use of glyphosate products but did not provide product names, brands, active ingredient details, or information regarding whether non-glyphosate herbicides are also used.
As a result, it is not possible from the information supplied to independently verify which specific products are currently being applied within public spaces.
No policy documents, operational records, product lists, or usage data were supplied, making it difficult to independently assess herbicide use patterns, changes over time, or the scale of herbicide use across the district.
The response stated that no independent or internal review of herbicide use had taken place and that the current greenspace maintenance contract commenced in 2022.
Why This Matters
Public spaces are shared by residents, visitors, community groups, children, pets, and local wildlife.
Transparency allows communities to better understand how vegetation management decisions are made, what products are being used, and what safeguards are in place.
While Clutha District Council provided useful information regarding spraying practices and contractor requirements, some aspects of herbicide use remain unclear due to the absence of product information, supporting documents, and operational records.
The purpose of this project is not to reach predetermined conclusions, but to document the information councils make available and help communities better understand how herbicide management is carried out across New Zealand.
Information Request Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| LGOIMA Reference | Not Supplied |
| Request Submitted | 4 May 2026 |
| Response Received | 9 June 2026 |
Information current as supplied under LGOIMA on 9 June 2026.
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