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.
Ōtorohanga District Council provided a concise response identifying the herbicides used in council-managed public spaces, where they are typically applied, the frequency of application, and the approach used to review weed-management practices.
Quick Summary
| Topic | Response |
|---|---|
| Glyphosate-based herbicides used? | Yes |
| Other herbicides used? | Yes |
| Product information supplied? | Yes |
| Application locations identified? | Yes |
| Application frequency supplied? | Yes |
| Policy information supplied? | Limited |
| Review process identified? | Yes |
| Supporting documents supplied? | No |
What We Learned
Ōtorohanga District Council advised that it currently uses two herbicides within council-managed public spaces: Conquest and glyphosate.
According to the council, these products are used within parks, reserves, and cemeteries. Conquest is applied annually to control broadleaf weeds, while glyphosate applications occur as required depending on growing conditions.
The council advised that contractors undertaking herbicide application work are Growsafe certified and follow industry guidelines. The response also indicated that herbicide practices are reviewed as part of contract renewal processes, which occur approximately every two years.
Where Herbicides Are Used
The council advised that herbicides are typically applied within:
- Parks
- Reserves
- Cemeteries
No further location-specific information was provided.
Products Identified
| Product | Active Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Conquest | MCPA, Clopyralid, Fluroxypyr* |
| Glyphosate (product not specified) | Glyphosate |
Note: The council identified “Glyphosate” but did not specify the commercial product name or formulation being used. Active ingredients have been identified from publicly available product information where they were not explicitly stated in the council’s response.
Application Frequency
The council advised that Conquest is generally applied once per year for broadleaf weed control.
Glyphosate is applied as needed, with application frequency varying according to growing conditions.
Policies, Standards and Oversight
Ōtorohanga District Council advised that contractors carrying out herbicide applications are Growsafe certified and follow industry guidelines.
No specific council policy, operational procedure, agrichemical management plan, or other supporting documentation was provided with the response.
Review and Safety Considerations
The council advised that herbicide management practices are reviewed as part of contract renewal processes, which occur approximately every two years.
No additional information was supplied regarding the scope of those reviews or whether any formal internal or independent assessments have been undertaken.
Observations
Ōtorohanga District Council provided a brief but direct response addressing the key questions that were asked.
The response identified the herbicides currently used, the locations where they are applied, the general application frequency, and the council’s reliance on Growsafe-certified contractors.
While the council confirmed that herbicide practices are reviewed as part of contract renewals, no supporting policies, procedures, review documents, or operational guidance were supplied.
Compared with some councils that have provided extensive documentation and detailed operational information, the response from Ōtorohanga District Council offers a high-level overview of current practices rather than detailed supporting information.
Why This Matters
Councils manage parks, reserves, cemeteries, roadsides, and other public spaces that are used by residents every day.
Understanding what herbicides are being used, where they are applied, and how those decisions are managed helps improve transparency around public-space weed management.
The Council Herbicide Transparency Project aims to build a nationwide public record of how herbicides are managed across New Zealand’s local authorities, allowing residents to better understand practices in their own communities.
Information Request Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| LGOIMA Reference | FLOW-1090 |
| Request Submitted | 5 May 2026 |
| Response Received | 14 May 2026 |
Information current as supplied under LGOIMA on 14 May 2026.
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