22 April 2015
Official Information Request No. 9000134465
(Please quote this in any correspondence)
Mr. Collard
By email: [FYI request #2519 email]
Dear Mr Collard
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
Re: Insecticides used by Auckland Council
I refer to your email, which we received on 24 February 2015, requesting information about
Insecticides used by Auckland Council.
Within the council group, insecticides are used by the Biosecurity Group, City Parks
Services, and Watercare Ltd.
A list of insecticides used by the Biosecurity Group can be found in the attachment:
• Biosecurity Insecticides.pdf
The Biosecurity Group use insecticides to control invasive insect species listed in the
Auckland regional Pest Management Strategy being Argentine ants and 4 wasp species.
Argentine ants are considered one of 100 of the world’s worst invasive species. Impacts to
native invertebrates, birds, and plants contribute to population declines and local extinction.
The invasive ant control programme has achieved eradication of Argentine ants at School
House Bay, Kawau Island, and Mason Road and Medlands Road sites, Great Barrier Island.
Four invasive wasp species (German wasp, Common wasp, Asian paper wasp and
Australian paper wasp) can inflict painful toxic stings on people and animals. Wasps
complete for sugar resources with nectar-feeding birds and insects, predate on
invertebrates, and compete for invertebrate prey with insectivorous birds and predacious
invertebrates. In a Regional Park setting, wasp control occurs in visitor areas when/if nests
are located.
A list of the insecticides used by City Parks Services is provided in the attachment,
• CPS Insecticides.pdf
This contains details of the insecticides used and notes planned usage over the coming
months. This includes organic insecticides. Generally, insecticide use is reactive rather than
planned and takes place on as needed.
Insecticide use by Watercare Services Limited is limited and in small quantities. The use of
ant rid / exterm-an-ant, rodent bait and wasp treatment powders are typically used in
Watercare buildings away from water surfaces. They are applied either by trained
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
contractors or by staff as per material safety data sheet specifications. Insecticides such as
Methoprene are dosed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant ponds as part of midge control.
If you have any further queries please contact me on 09 890 8127, quoting Official
Information Request No. 9000134465.
I also wish to apologise for the delay in getting this response to you and draw your attention
to your right of complaint to the Office of the Ombudsmen regarding this delay.
Yours sincerely
James Stephens
Information Advisor
AKLC Electoral Office/Public Info Unit
9000134465
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
