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.
MacKenzie District Council provided a written response outlining the herbicides currently used in its public spaces, the locations where they are typically applied, and the general frequency of treatment during the growing season. The council also described the operational framework governing herbicide use through its parks maintenance contractor and outlined how public notification is managed in higher-use areas.
The response further explained the factors considered when deciding whether herbicides are used, discussed previous trials of alternative weed management methods, and advised that the current approach was most recently reviewed as part of the Parks and Open Spaces maintenance contract tender process.
Quick Summary
| Topic | Response |
|---|---|
| Glyphosate-based herbicides used? | Yes |
| Other herbicides used? | Yes |
| Alternative methods previously trialled? | Yes |
| Product list supplied? | Yes |
| Herbicide policy supplied? | No |
| SOP supplied? | No (SOPs referenced only) |
| Application locations identified? | Yes |
| Application frequency explained? | Yes |
| Public notification mentioned? | Yes |
| Chemically sensitive register? | Not mentioned |
| Recent herbicide safety review identified? | No |
| Supporting documents supplied? | No |
What We Learned
MacKenzie District Council advised that glyphosate and Grazon are currently used for weed control in selected public spaces, including around trees, park boundary lines, and low-maintenance garden areas.
The council stated that applications are generally undertaken every six weeks during the growing season, although the exact frequency depends on the maintenance contract specifications.
Responsibility for herbicide application sits with the council’s contracted parks maintenance provider, CORDE. According to the council, CORDE follows its own Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and staff are trained, qualified, and competent to undertake herbicide applications.
The council also advised that it has previously trialled both steam and gas weed control systems, as well as environmentally friendly herbicide alternatives, but found that these methods added greater health and safety risks for staff, increased costs, or required more frequent application than conventional herbicides.
When asked what scientific or regulatory guidance the council relies on when assessing herbicide safety, the council’s response was simply: “Industry feedback.”
Products Identified
| Product | Type / Active Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glyphosate | Glyphosate-based herbicide | Used for general weed control in selected public spaces. |
| Grazon | Herbicide (typically containing triclopyr and picloram, depending on formulation) | Used alongside glyphosate for weed control. |
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 glyphosate and Grazon are typically applied:
- Around trees
- Park boundary lines
- Low-maintenance garden areas
Applications are generally carried out every six weeks during the growing season, although the council noted that treatment frequency depends on the maintenance contract specifications.
The council also advised that weather conditions and the level of public use of a particular park or public space are important factors when deciding when herbicide applications take place.
Policies and Guidance
MacKenzie District Council advised that herbicide application within its parks and open spaces is undertaken by its maintenance contractor, CORDE.
According to the council, CORDE operates in accordance with its own Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
The council also stated that CORDE staff are trained, qualified, and competent to carry out herbicide applications.
No standalone council herbicide policy or operational guideline was supplied.
Public Notification and Chemically Sensitive Residents
The council advised that CORDE places “Spraying in Progress” signs when undertaking herbicide applications and may also notify the public through social media where spraying is occurring in areas with high public use.
The council further stated that herbicides are only applied in playgrounds and other high-use public areas when those locations are not being used by members of the public.
No chemically sensitive residents register or similar notification system was mentioned.
Review History
When asked whether the council had undertaken any internal or independent review of herbicide use or safety in recent years, the council replied that its current operating model is to contract Parks and Open Spaces maintenance to CORDE.
The council advised that the current approach was last formally reviewed when the Parks and Open Spaces maintenance contract was tendered and awarded the previous year.
The council did not identify any separate internal or independent review of herbicide use or safety beyond the review associated with the Parks and Open Spaces maintenance contract.
Documents Provided
No supporting documents accompanied the response.
The council referred to:
- CORDE Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
However, copies of these documents were not supplied.
Observations
MacKenzie District Council provided concise but comprehensive answers addressing each of the questions asked.
While no standalone herbicide policy or supporting documentation was provided, the council described its reliance on contractor-managed procedures and explained that herbicide application is governed through CORDE’s operational systems, including SOPs and Safety Data Sheets.
The response also provided useful context regarding previous trials of non-chemical weed control methods, including steam, gas, and environmentally friendly herbicides, together with the reasons these approaches were not adopted as the council’s preferred weed management strategy.
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 | Ref. 936 |
| Request Submitted | 04 May 2026 |
| Response Received | 20 May 2026 |
| Information Current | As supplied under LGOIMA on 20 May 2026 |
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