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.
Stratford District Council provided a detailed written response outlining the herbicide products currently used across a range of public spaces, the non-chemical methods employed alongside herbicides, and the operational practices used to manage herbicide applications.
The council also described its approach to public notification, identified measures considered or implemented since a February 2020 review, and explained how herbicide applications are managed around sensitive public locations.
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 standalone policy supplied |
| SOP supplied? | Operational procedures described, but no SOP document supplied |
| Application locations identified? | Yes |
| Application frequency explained? | No |
| Public notification mentioned? | Yes |
| Chemically sensitive register mentioned? | No |
| Formal review identified? | February 2020 review referenced; review document not supplied |
| Supporting documents supplied? | No |
What We Learned
Stratford District Council advised that glyphosate-based herbicides remain part of its weed management programme alongside other products used for selective broadleaf weeds, woody vegetation, and moss and mould control. The council also identified an insecticide used mainly on sports turf for grass grub control.
The council stated that non-chemical methods including mulching, manual hand weeding, mechanical edging, trimming, regular mowing, and turf maintenance are used where appropriate. According to the response, the council aims to reduce reliance on herbicides where practical and considers non-chemical methods first when they are effective and operationally feasible.
The response also outlined operational practices used when applying herbicides, including product selection, weather considerations, trained operators, and public notification measures.
Products Identified
| Product | Type / Active Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agpro Green Glyphosate 510 | Glyphosate | General weed control |
| Agpro Terbuthylazine 500 | Terbuthylazine | General weed control |
| Agpro Terminate | Herbicide | General weed control |
| Agpro Lawnclean | Selective lawn herbicide | Broadleaf weed control |
| Ken-Zon Herbicide | Selective herbicide | Broadleaf weed control |
| Kiwicare Lawnguard | Selective lawn herbicide | Broadleaf weed control |
| Agpro Triclop 600 | Triclopyr | Woody weed control |
| Agpro Organosilicone | Organosilicone adjuvant | Spray additive to improve herbicide uptake |
| Agpro Picloram Gel | Picloram | Stump treatment for selective weed trees |
| Agpro Moss & Mould Killer | Moss and mould treatment | Hard surfaces and hard courts |
| Dupont Acelepryn Insecticide | Chlorantraniliprole insecticide | Turf insect control, primarily sports turf |
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 typically used in the following locations:
- Reserves
- Gardens
- Footpath edges
- Walkways
- Lawns
- Sportsgrounds
- Hard surfaces
- Hard courts
Specific products are selected according to the type of vegetation or pest being managed.
Although the council described where products are generally used, it did not specify how frequently these areas are treated.
Policies and Guidance
No standalone herbicide policy or operational procedure documents were supplied.
The council advised that contractors undertake herbicide application in accordance with:
- Applicable health and safety requirements
- Manufacturer guidelines
- Operational procedures
- Label instructions and recommended dilution rates
- Weather assessments to minimise spray drift
- Selective application methods where appropriate
The council also stated that hazardous substance storage and handling procedures are maintained for chemicals stored at its contractor’s depot.
Public Notification and Chemically Sensitive Residents
The council advised that members of the public are notified prior to or during herbicide application through methods that may include:
- Temporary signage at treatment locations
- Cones or barriers where operationally required
- Contractor presence during application activities
According to the council, operational practices vary depending on the location, treatment type, levels of public use, and health and safety requirements.
No chemically sensitive residents register was mentioned in the response.
Review History
The council referred to a February 2020 review and advised that, since that time, it has considered and implemented measures intended to reduce overall herbicide use.
These measures include:
- Increased use of mulching and manual weed removal
- Targeted rather than blanket spraying
- Use of selective herbicides where appropriate
- Ongoing assessment of alternative weed management methods
The council stated that herbicides continue to form part of its overall weed management programme due to the scale of public spaces managed and weed growth pressures in some locations.
The response also advised that herbicide applications are managed carefully around sensitive locations including playgrounds, waterways, schools, sportsgrounds, and high pedestrian-use areas. The council said this may include targeted spot spraying, avoiding unsuitable weather, selecting products appropriate to the location, taking additional care around waterways and public access areas, and scheduling work to minimise public exposure where possible.
Observations
Stratford District Council provided a detailed narrative response that addressed each of the follow-up questions submitted during the information request process.
While no standalone policy documents, operational procedures, contractor specifications, or review reports were supplied, the council described its operational framework in considerable detail, including its use of both chemical and non-chemical weed management methods, notification practices, and measures implemented following the February 2020 review.
The response also identified one of the broader product lists received during the Council Transparency Project, covering herbicides, selective lawn treatments, woody weed products, adjuvants, moss and mould treatments, and turf insect control.
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 | LGOIMA 33 |
| Request Submitted | 05 May 2026 |
| Response Received | 18 May 2026 |
| Information Current | As supplied under LGOIMA on 18 May 2026 |
Image Source & Attribution
The feature image on this page was created using AI-assisted image generation from an original concept developed by No More Glyphosate NZ and refined for publication in Canva.
AI is a useful creative tool for visualising complex investigative topics that cannot be meaningfully photographed, allowing us to illustrate ideas without implying that any specific scene or event actually occurred.
