Herbicide Use In Public Spaces
Response
Sent: Wednesday, 3 June 2026 11:35am
Subject: Official Information Request - Herbicide Use In Public Spaces
I refer to your Official Information request of 5 May 2026 for information regarding herbicide use in public spaces.
Question:
What herbicide or weed control products are currently used in public spaces?
Answer:
Glyphosate, Triclopyr, Picloram and Terbuthylazine are the four agrichemicals used by Council in public spaces.
Question:
Where are these products typically applied, and how frequently are these areas treated?
Answer:
These agrichemicals are typically applied to urban garden beds, around tree bases and in revegetation areas in council parks and reserves as required.
Quarterly application is standard around obstacles and reserve gardens, although last year this was only carried out twice to Council’s reserves.
Garden beds within the CBD are usually hand weeded.
Question:
What policies or guidelines govern herbicide use in public spaces?
Answer:
Herbicide (agrichemical) use in public spaces in New Zealand is governed by a layered framework—national legislation, national standards, and local council rules/policies. Please find below the key documents that apply:
- Hazardous substances and new organisms act 1996 (HSNO Act)
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and Hazardous Substances Regulations 2017
- National Standard (best Practise Guidelines) NZS 8409:2021 – Management of Agrichemicals
- Bay Of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) Regional Air Plan
- Health NZ (Te Whatu Ora) Agrichemical Exposure Guidelines
Council also uses:
- Operational Safe Work Instruction – Agrichemical Spraying: Procedures and Equipment – General Procedure
- BOPRC - A Guide to Applying Agrichemicals - Responsibilities of Spray Applicators
In Council’s Contractor’s documentation (page 76) it states:
- Please note: Spraying using herbicide/chemicals is not permitted around playground edges. Mechanical or non-toxic methods must be used at all times.
- Excerpt from Contractors contract document
Question:
When was the current approach to herbicide use in public spaces last formally reviewed?
Answer:
The current National approach to herbicide use in public spaces was last formally reviewed in 2021, through the update of the NZS 8409:2021 – Management of Agrichemicals standard.
