You’ve seen the grounds being sprayed. Maybe you’ve caught a whiff of that chemical smell during pickup.
Or maybe you only found out when a teacher mentioned they had to close the windows because the caretaker was spraying nearby. Whatever brought it to your attention, one thing is clear: glyphosate-based weedkillers like Roundup have no place around children. And yet, they’re still being used in schools across New Zealand.
This article isn’t here to shame your school—it’s here to help you change the conversation. Because the reality is, many school leaders simply don’t know the risks. Or they’ve never been asked to rethink them.
Let’s change that.
Step One: Know What You’re Talking About
Before you take your concerns to the school, it helps to get familiar with a few key points. No, you don’t need to be a scientist or policy expert. But understanding why glyphosate is a problem—especially for children—will help you hold your ground if you’re met with resistance or dismissal.
We’ve written about this in detail here, but in short: children are more vulnerable than adults to chemical exposures. Their organs are still developing. They breathe faster, eat more relative to their body size, and spend more time on the ground—barefoot, crawling, or digging in the dirt. So when glyphosate is sprayed on school grounds, they’re more likely to be affected.
Now add to that the growing research linking glyphosate exposure to hormone disruption, developmental delays, gut microbiome changes, even ADHD-like behaviours. Suddenly, spraying a weedkiller that’s under global scrutiny starts to look a lot less justifiable.
Start by Asking Questions
You don’t need to storm the office with a printed petition—at least not right away. A quiet conversation can be just as powerful. Ask your principal or office staff if the school uses weedkillers. Find out what they spray, when, and whether any precautions are taken. You might discover they don’t even know the name of the product—it just “comes with the grounds contract.”
That’s a good starting point. Because if no one knows what’s being sprayed or when, how can anyone say it’s safe?
Find Allies—They’re Out There
Chances are, you’re not the only parent who’s noticed the spraying or wondered what’s in that bottle. Talk to other parents. Mention your concerns at school events or in the class group chat. Keep it light, but direct: “Hey, do you know if the school sprays Roundup? I’ve been looking into it and some of the health effects are pretty worrying.”
You might be surprised how many others have had the same gut feeling but didn’t know what to do with it.
Teach Kids to Notice—and to Ask
This conversation doesn’t have to stop with the adults. In fact, involving children—appropriately—can be a powerful way to raise awareness and spark change.
Without burdening them with fear, we can teach our kids to notice what’s going on around them. If they see someone spraying near where they play, they should feel safe asking, “What’s that?” or “Should we be near this?” If they’re unsure, they can tell a teacher or a parent. And yes, if they happen to have a phone and see something concerning—like a caretaker spraying near kids without warning signs or protective gear—it’s okay to take a photo and speak up.
This isn’t about turning kids into whistleblowers. It’s about encouraging curiosity, responsibility, and safety. Just like we teach them to ask questions about strangers, crossing the road, or food allergies—we can help them tune into environmental health, too.
Because when children learn to question things that don’t feel right, they grow into adults who do the same. And that’s a win for all of us.
Offer Solutions, Not Just Problems
This is where a lot of efforts stall. It’s one thing to raise concerns—but schools already have a lot on their plates. The more prepared you are with alternatives, the more likely you’ll be taken seriously.
Let them know there are other ways to manage weeds. Mulch, steam weeding, regular trimming, vinegar or pelargonic acid-based sprays. No, they’re not always as quick and cheap—but they don’t come with the same health risks either. One proven option already in use by schools and councils is Contact Organics.
Even if the school isn’t ready to commit, suggesting a glyphosate-free trial area or stand-down period after spraying could be a starting point. Small changes are still steps in the right direction.
Don’t Be Discouraged If It Takes Time
Change doesn’t always happen after the first email or meeting. You may need to follow up. Ask for the issue to be added to a Board of Trustees agenda. Share an article with the staff. Drop off a printed factsheet. Let them know this isn’t a passing concern—it matters, and you’re not going away.
You’re not trying to cause trouble. You’re trying to protect kids. If that’s not worth pushing for, what is?
A Final Word: You Don’t Need to Wait for Permission
The Ministry of Education doesn’t require schools to use glyphosate. There are no national rules stopping your school from choosing safer options. Some already have. Many more are on the fence. And some are just waiting for someone—like you—to give them a reason to act.
So speak up. Start the conversation. Ask the awkward questions.
Because silence won’t keep our kids safe. But your voice just might.
Resources and References
When it comes to protecting children’s health, we believe in asking questions—and following the science. The studies and reports below shed light on why glyphosate-based herbicides are being re-examined around the world, and why schools should take note.
Glyphosate and Endocrine Disruption
Research indicates that glyphosate and its formulations can disrupt hormonal functions, affecting reproductive health.
- “Mechanisms of Glyphosate and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides Action in Female and Male Fertility in Humans and Animal Models.” Cells, 10(11), 3079.
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/11/3079 - “Endocrine disruption and cytotoxicity of Glyphosate and Roundup in human JAr cells in vitro.” Integrative Pharmacology, Toxicology and Genotoxicology, 1(1), 12–19.
https://www.oatext.com/Endocrine-disruption-and-cytotoxicity-of-Glyphosate-and-Roundup-in-human-JAr-cells-in-vitro.php
Glyphosate and Neurodevelopmental Concerns
Emerging evidence suggests glyphosate exposure during pregnancy or early life may impact child behavior and brain development.
- “Maternal exposure to glyphosate increased the risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in rodent offspring: A systematic review.” Environmental Pollution, 363(Pt 1), 125086.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39374765/ - “Is autism a PIN1 deficiency syndrome? A proposed etiological role for glyphosate.” Journal of Neurochemistry, 168(9), 2124–2146.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38808598/
Genotoxicity and Oxidative Stress
Studies have shown glyphosate-based herbicides can cause oxidative stress and DNA damage—mechanisms linked to cancer and developmental harm.
- “Comparative cyto- and genotoxicity assessment of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides in human mononuclear white blood cells.” Environmental Research, 184, 109289.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935119306486 - National Toxicology Program (2023). “Glyphosate & Glyphosate Formulations.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/topics/glyphosate
Glyphosate and the Gut Microbiome
Glyphosate’s antimicrobial action may disrupt beneficial gut bacteria, with potential consequences for immunity and child development.
- “Low-dose exposure of glyphosate-based herbicides disrupt the gut microbiome via Shikimate pathway.” Scientific Reports, 11, 2821.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-82552-2 - “Glyphosate and its formulations Roundup Bioflow and RangerPro alter the gut microbiome in rats.” Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 888853.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.888853/full
Exposure Levels in Children
Biomonitoring studies reveal that glyphosate is present in the majority of children tested, suggesting widespread, chronic exposure.
- Environmental Working Group (2022). “CDC finds toxic weedkiller in 87 percent of children tested.”
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2022/07/cdc-finds-toxic-weedkiller-87-percent-children-tested
Regulatory Gaps and Industry Influence
This paper explores why government agencies have reached conflicting conclusions about glyphosate’s safety, and how regulatory decisions are often shaped by industry-funded studies.
- “How did the US EPA and IARC reach diametrically opposed conclusions on the genotoxicity of glyphosate-based herbicides?” Environmental Sciences Europe, 31, 2.
https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-018-0184
Final Thought
This list is just a starting point. There’s much more to explore if you’re willing to ask questions—and dig a little deeper. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, board member, or student, the message is the same: precaution is not overreaction. When the safety of children is on the line, we owe it to them to err on the side of caution—not convenience.
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