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.
Taupō District Council provided a detailed response, including a product and application schedule and a copy of its Weed Management Policy.
Quick Summary
| Topic | Response |
|---|---|
| Glyphosate-based herbicides used? | Yes |
| Other herbicides used? | Yes |
| Product list supplied? | Yes |
| Herbicide policy referenced? | Yes |
| Application locations identified? | Yes |
| Application frequency explained? | Yes |
| Public notification mentioned? | Yes |
| Opt-out option mentioned? | Partial |
| Last review clearly identified? | Yes |
| Supporting documents supplied? | Yes |
What We Learned
Taupō District Council confirmed that glyphosate-based herbicides continue to be used in a range of public spaces, alongside several other weed-control products and non-chemical methods.
The council supplied a schedule showing where each product is used and how frequently treatments occur. Glyphosate 510 is used in amenity gardens on a monthly basis, in revegetation plantings and around reserve boundaries twice yearly, and on tracks and pathways annually. It is not listed for use in amenity turf, playgrounds, or reserve areas close to waterways and other sensitive sites.
Other products identified include Versatil, Kiwicare Turf Ultraclean, Kiwicare Weed Weapon Natural Power, and Triclopyr 600. The council also reported using a Weedtechnics Steam Weeder in a variety of locations, indicating that thermal weed control forms part of its current weed-management approach.
The 2009 policy notes that council had reduced chemical use by an average of approximately 30 percent per year since 2006. However, the council did not provide current figures indicating whether that reduction has continued in the years since the policy was adopted.
Products Identified
Herbicides and Weed-Control Products
| Product | Notes |
|---|---|
| Glyphosate 510 | Glyphosate-based herbicide |
| Versatil | Herbicide |
| Kiwicare Turf Ultraclean | Turf weed-control product |
| Kiwicare Weed Weapon Natural Power | Non-glyphosate weed-control product |
| Triclopyr 600 | Triclopyr-based herbicide |
| Weedtechnics Steam Weeder | Thermal weed-control system |
Source: Taupō District Council application schedule.
Application Locations and Frequency
The council’s application schedule identifies different treatment approaches depending on the location.
Glyphosate 510 is used monthly in amenity gardens, twice yearly in revegetation plantings and around reserve boundaries, and annually on tracks and pathways. Kiwicare Weed Weapon Natural Power is also used in amenity gardens and some playgrounds, while Triclopyr 600 is used on an as-required basis in several locations. Steam weed control is used across multiple asset types, including some sensitive sites.
Policies and Guidance
Taupō District Council provided a copy of its Weed Management Policy, formally titled Management of Plant Pests, Unwanted Fungi, and Unwanted Insects as They Pertain to Vegetation on Council-Owned Property. The policy was adopted by council on 20 May 2009.
The policy states that council will control the use of chemical sprays in an environmentally, socially, and economically viable manner while meeting its legal and statutory obligations. It also states that preference should be given to non-chemical methods, with chemicals used where alternative methods are not viable or effective.
The council advised that operational weed-management activities are guided by NZS 8409:2021 Management of Agrichemicals, Growsafe training requirements, and the Waikato Regional Council Contractors Guide to Agrichemical Spraying.
Public Notification and Chemically Sensitive Residents
One aspect of the policy that stands out is the council’s chemically sensitive residents register.
The policy states that residents who have registered chemical sensitivities are contacted on the day of spraying activity and advised of the area to be sprayed and the chemical to be used. The policy also refers to advance communication where possible, on-site signage, and ongoing maintenance of the register.
Review History
When asked when the current approach to herbicide use was last formally reviewed, the council advised that the Weed Management Policy was adopted in 2009 and has not been formally reviewed because it is still considered fit for purpose.
The policy itself states that it would be reviewed five years after adoption unless otherwise directed by council.
Observations
Taupō District Council provided more detail than many councils, supplying both an application schedule and a formal weed-management policy.
The information shows that glyphosate remains part of the council’s weed-management programme, but it is not used in every location. The council also reports using thermal weed-control methods and maintains a process for communicating spray activities to residents who have registered chemical sensitivities.
One notable aspect of the response is that the current Weed Management Policy was adopted in 2009 and, according to the council, has not been formally reviewed since that time, despite the policy stating that it would be reviewed five years after adoption unless otherwise directed by council. Whether the policy remains fit for purpose is ultimately a matter for the council, but the absence of a formal review is likely to be of interest to residents seeking to understand how weed-management practices are assessed over time.
Information Request Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| LGOIMA Reference | Not Supplied |
| Request Submitted | 5 May 2026 |
| Response Received | 10 June 2026 |
Information current as supplied under LGOIMA on 10 June 2026.
Image Source & Attribution
This feature image was developed from an original photograph supplied by No More Glyphosate NZ and subsequently adapted using AI-assisted image generation and Canva to create a regional illustration for this article.
