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.
Ashburton District Council provided a detailed written response describing herbicide use across several operational areas, including Open Spaces, road maintenance, Stockwater, and Three Waters. The council identified the herbicide products currently used, where they are applied, the factors influencing application, and the operational frameworks governing their use.
The response also outlined restrictions applied around schools and high-use public areas, described the notification measures used when spraying occurs, confirmed that several non-chemical methods are currently being trialled by Open Spaces, and advised that no internal or independent review of herbicide use has been undertaken in recent years.
Quick Summary
| Topic | Response |
|---|---|
| Glyphosate-based herbicides used? | Yes |
| Other herbicides used? | Yes |
| Alternative weed management used? | Yes |
| Product list supplied? | Yes |
| Herbicide policy supplied? | No |
| Application locations identified? | Yes |
| Application frequency explained? | Yes |
| Public notification mentioned? | Yes |
| Chemically sensitive / no-spray register? | Yes – property owners may request inclusion on a roadside no-spray list |
| Formal review identified? | No |
| Supporting documents supplied? | No |
What We Learned
Ashburton District Council manages herbicide use through several operational teams, each with differing responsibilities and application practices. Glyphosate-based herbicides are used by Open Spaces, road maintenance contractors, Stockwater, and Three Waters, alongside several other herbicide products for particular vegetation management tasks.
Application frequency varies according to operational need. Some services apply herbicides on a seasonal or weather-dependent basis, while others undertake scheduled annual or twice-yearly treatments.
The council advised that Open Spaces is currently trialling a range of non-chemical weed management approaches including mulching, hand weeding, mowing, weed suppression methods, planting density changes, and turf establishment.
The response also described operational restrictions around schools, busy public areas, and properties registered on the roadside no-spray list.
Products Identified
| Product | Type / Active Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glyphosate | Glyphosate | Used by Open Spaces and Stockwater |
| Glyphosate 360 | Glyphosate | Used by road maintenance contractors |
| Tordon | Herbicide (active ingredient depends on formulation) | Used by Open Spaces |
| Barricade | Herbicide | Used by Open Spaces |
| Ignite | Glufosinate-ammonium herbicide | Used by Open Spaces |
| Hitman | Herbicide | Used by Open Spaces |
| Agpro Easy Clean 50 | Benzalkonium chloride | Used for lichen spraying by road maintenance contractors |
Note: Active ingredients have been identified from publicly available product information where they were not explicitly stated in the council’s response.
Application Locations and Frequency
The council advised that herbicides are applied in:
- Parks
- Reserves
- Cemeteries
- Road berms
- Footpaths
- Kerb and channel
- Around signposts
- Road carriageways, crossings and culverts
- Around structures
- Along the sides of water races (minimal application)
The council also advised that Three Waters undertakes herbicide spraying twice per year, although it did not specify the locations where those applications occur.
Application frequency differs between operational areas:
| Operational Area | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Open Spaces | As required, depending on seasonal and climatic conditions |
| Road maintenance | As needed where weeds or lichen create maintenance or safety issues |
| Stockwater | Generally once annually, with additional treatment if required |
| Three Waters | Twice annually |
Policies and Guidance
The council advised that herbicide use is governed through operational practices rather than a single standalone herbicide policy.
Guidance referenced includes:
- Industry best practice
- Council-adopted Levels of Service
- PITO staff training
- Manufacturer recommendations
- Growsafe certification
- New Zealand Sports Turf Institute recommendations
- HSNO approvals
- NZS 8409:2021 – Management of Agrichemicals
- Council resource consents
- EPA regulations
- WorkSafe guidance
- Material Safety Data Sheets
- Industry advice
Operational restrictions also apply in certain circumstances.
Open Spaces assesses reserve use before spraying activities are undertaken.
Road maintenance contractors advised that:
- property owners may request inclusion on a no-spray list
- spraying ceases one hour before and one hour after school, kindergarten and playcentre start and finish times
- spraying within the central business district is undertaken before 7:00 am or outside normal business hours
- playgrounds are not included within the areas sprayed under the road maintenance contract
The council also advised that Three Waters avoids spraying around retention ponds.
Public Notification and Chemically Sensitive Residents
The council advised that public notification is provided through a combination of onsite signage and temporary closures of public spaces where required, such as dog parks.
For roadside spraying, residents may request that their property be placed on the council’s no-spray list so weed spraying is not undertaken outside their property.
Review History
The council advised that it has not undertaken either an internal or independent review of herbicide use or herbicide safety in recent years.
When asked when the current approach was last formally reviewed, the council responded:
Not known.
Observations
Ashburton District Council provided a detailed operational response covering multiple business units rather than presenting herbicide management as a single council-wide programme.
The response identifies differing operational practices between Open Spaces, road maintenance, Stockwater and Three Waters, reflecting that herbicide use is managed according to each service’s operational requirements.
The council also stands out for identifying a broad range of non-chemical methods currently being trialled within its Open Spaces operations, alongside continued herbicide use where considered appropriate.
Although numerous operational standards and guidance documents were referenced, no standalone herbicide policy or supporting documentation accompanied 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 | CRM0800327/26 |
| Request Submitted | 4 May 2026 |
| Response Received | 19 May 2026 |
| Information Current | As supplied under LGOIMA on 19 May 2026 |
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