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.
Marlborough District Council provided a written response identifying the herbicide products currently used across its parks and open spaces, the general frequency of application, and how herbicide use is managed through its maintenance contracts. The council also outlined where public notification occurs, confirmed that no formal review of herbicide use has been undertaken in recent years, and supplied an extract from its maintenance contract relating to weed, pest, and disease control.
The response also referenced a February 2022 report to Council concerning the elimination of glyphosate use at Seymour Square and described how discussions about herbicide use occur during routine contractor reviews.
Quick Summary
| Topic | Response |
|---|---|
| Glyphosate-based herbicides used? | Yes |
| Other herbicides used? | Yes |
| Alternative or non-chemical methods mentioned? | Yes – hand removal included in contract extract |
| Product list supplied? | Yes |
| Standalone herbicide policy supplied? | No |
| Maintenance contract clauses supplied? | Yes (extract only) |
| Application locations identified? | Yes |
| Application frequency explained? | Yes |
| Public notification mentioned? | Yes |
| Chemically sensitive register mentioned? | No |
| Formal review identified? | No |
| Supporting documents supplied? | Maintenance contract extract |
What We Learned
Marlborough District Council advised that several herbicide products are used across parks and open spaces, with treatment occurring on average once every six months. The council also identified several locations where different herbicide products are used.
The council identified clauses within its maintenance contracts as the policies, guidelines or operational framework governing herbicide use. No separate herbicide policy was supplied with the response. Those contracts also contain requirements relating to notification, permitted herbicide use and weed management standards.
For sports parks, planned spraying is publicly notified through newspaper notices. The council advised that no equivalent notification occurs for other parks and reserves.
When asked about scientific guidance, the council stated that it relies on information supplied by the Environmental Protection Authority.
Products Identified
| Product | Type / Active Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tag 2 | Not stated | Listed by council |
| Glyphosate | Glyphosate herbicide | Listed by council |
| Versatile | Herbicide | Listed by council |
| Conquest | Herbicide | Listed by council |
| Victory Gold | Herbicide | Listed by council |
| Hitman | Herbicide | Used at Seymour and Pollard Parks |
| Weed Weapon | Weed control product | Used in lime-surfaced areas, including a driveway and the pétanque courts |
Application Locations and Frequency
The council advised that the identified products are used throughout parks and open spaces across Marlborough.
General treatment frequency was described as approximately once every six months.
The council also identified glyphosate use at Pollard Park, Hitman use at Seymour and Pollard, and Weed Weapon use in selected lime-surfaced areas.
Policies and Guidance
Marlborough District Council advised that herbicide use is governed through clauses contained within its maintenance contracts.
The council stated that considerations or restrictions for playgrounds, schools and other high-use public spaces are addressed through its maintenance contracts. The extract reproduced in the response concerned weed, pest and disease control in street planting sites and did not set out the specific playground provisions.
The supplied contract extract (Clause C.3.2.4 – Weed, Pest and Disease Control) requires contractors to:
- maintain high-profile street plantings free of weeds
- maintain other street plantings below specified weed height and coverage thresholds
- hand remove weeds exceeding 100 mm in height
- maintain plants free from pests and diseases
- undertake weed, pest and disease control within high-profile sites using organic chemicals.
When asked what scientific or regulatory guidance is relied upon, the council stated that it uses information supplied by the Environmental Protection Authority.
Public Notification and Chemically Sensitive Residents
The council advised that notification of herbicide spraying is provided for sports parks through newspaper notices.
For other parks and reserves, the council stated that no public notification is provided.
No chemically sensitive residents register or similar notification system was mentioned.
Review History
The council confirmed that it has not undertaken an internal or independent review of herbicide use or safety in recent years.
Instead, it advised that discussions regarding herbicide use occur informally during onsite contractor reviews and that permitted levels of herbicide use are specified within the open space maintenance contracts.
The council also advised that a report presented to Council in February 2022 addressed the elimination of glyphosate use at Seymour Square. The report itself was not supplied.
Documents Provided
The council supplied:
- Extract from the Marlborough District Council maintenance contract:
- Clause C.3.2.4 – Weed, Pest and Disease Control
The extract outlines contractor performance standards for weed control, pest management and disease control within street planting areas, including requirements for weed-free standards and the use of organic chemicals within high-profile sites.
The council also referred to a February 2022 report to Council concerning the elimination of glyphosate use at Seymour Square. That report was not included with the material supplied.
Observations
Marlborough District Council’s response identifies the products used across its parks and open spaces and describes maintenance contract provisions as the principal framework governing herbicide management. No separate herbicide policy was supplied.
The response also identifies different notification practices for different types of public space. Planned spraying at sports parks is notified through newspaper notices, while the council advised that no notification is provided for other parks and reserves.
The council confirmed that no internal or independent review of herbicide use or safety had been undertaken in recent years. It described discussions with contractors as informal and typically occurring during onsite reviews of contract areas.
The council also referred to a February 2022 report concerning the elimination of glyphosate use at Seymour Square. The report itself was not supplied with the response.
Why This Matters
Councils manage a wide range of public spaces on behalf of their communities. Understanding what products are being used, where they are applied, and how decisions are made helps contribute to greater transparency around weed management in public areas.
The Council Transparency Project aims to build a nationwide public record of herbicide management practices across New Zealand local authorities so residents can better understand what is happening in their own communities.
Information Request Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| LGOIMA Reference | L150-027-610 |
| Request Submitted | 04 May 2026 |
| Response Received | 15 May 2026 |
| Information Current | As supplied under LGOIMA on 15 May 2026 |
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