13 June 2025
Official information request 8140015946
(Please quote this in any correspondence)
Erika Whittome
By email:
[FYI request #30754 email]
Dear Erika
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
Re: Roundup and cancer
Thank you for your information request dated 17th April 2025, for information
regarding Auckland Council’s use of glyphosate.
The specific details of your request and our response are below.
This is a recent news article about Roundup and cancer:
https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/03/24/bayer-ordered-to-pay-19-
billion-by-us-court-in-roundup-cancer-case
Please share:
1. How much roundup or other glyphosate product is sprayed by Auckland
Council annually
Parks and Community Facilities
As part of the Parks and Community Facilities maintenance responsibilities, spraying
activities are carried out by our contractors. This includes four full-facility suppliers
covering five maintenance contract areas, as well as five specialist ecological
contractors who manage weed control in areas of significant ecological value.
Spraying in our Regional Parks is undertaken by both contractors and Regional Park
Rangers. The table
attached provides details of their glyphosate use between 1
January 2024 and 31st December 2024.
The highest usage has been recorded by Green by Nature, followed by City Care.
This is likely attributable to Green by Nature servicing the largest combined land
area, and glyphosate is the primary method of weed control in both the Green by
Nature and City Care contracted areas. In comparison, Ventia (Wha), Ventia (Tahi)
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and Programmed undertake different primary weed control methods. For the Ventia
(Tahi) area thermal weed control methods are used, Ventia (Wha) use a combination
of glyphosate and Biosafe and Programmed relies mainly on plant-based herbicides,
such as Biosafe (as well as being responsible for Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands
which have stricter rules).
For reference, the contract areas are displayed on the map below.
Environmental Services
The Environmental Services department manage two programmes of work where
glyphosate is used, please refer to the table
attached outlining the contractor
glyphosate use between 1 January 2024 and 31st December 2024.
Healthy Waters & Flood Resilience
City Care
Scheduled maintenance includes three spray applications per year. Spraying is only
carried out when weather conditions are suitable to ensure both safe application and
effective results. From 30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025, a total of 71 litres of
Weedmaster G360 has been used.
Please refer to the
attached spreadsheet for detailed usage measurements. The
accompanying booklet outlines how much glyphosate is used for different types of
vegetation areas.
Downer NZ
They use only a small amount of glyphosate in the water space, as it is primarily
effective on certain emerging aquatic pest plants such as sweet reed grass and water
primrose. Most submerged aquatic weeds are typically controlled using other
approved products like diquat, rather than glyphosate.
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
Regional Healthy Waters
Under the "2 in a Ute" contract, 20 litres of glyphosate were used between March 2024
and March 2025 to manage weeds on small wastewater disposal fields.
Fulton Hogan
Please refer to the
attached document for detailed information on product usage.
This product is generally used within stormwater treatment pond enclosures and along
watercourses to control both terrestrial and aquatic weed species.
Application is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Fulton
Hogan staff involved in the application process are regularly monitored and receive
annual health and wellbeing checks. In addition, staff are provided with fully funded
medical insurance by Fulton Hogan.
2. The risk report for health and safety for the use the glyphosate/roundup
herbicide
Auckland is one of the weediest cities in the world. Our temperate climate makes us
particularly vulnerable to weeds and introduced pest plants which can spread
unchecked, displacing native plants and threatening biodiversity. Council manages
weeds for statutory, asset protection and amenity outcomes. Different weed control
methods are used depending on the species, site characteristics, infestation level
wider landscape characteristics and other factors such as legislative requirements.
There is no specific risk report for the use of glyphosate/roundup herbicide, council’s
herbicide use is guided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who have
approved the use of glyphosate-containing substances in accordance with their code
of practice. Our weed management policy guides the management of weeds in
Auckland’s parks and open spaces, including the road corridor. In addition, any
herbicide considered for use on public land must also meet contractual specifications
and be compliant with Auckland Unitary Plan rules. It is important to note our
contractors do not use Roundup.
Spraying is undertaken by suitably qualified contractors and the application of
agrichemicals shall comply with the requirements of NZS 8409 and only occurs
under certain conditions.
Glyphosate based products are found to be the most cost effective, have less global
warming potential, have minimal effect to the receiving environment and achieve the
best outcome, in comparison to the other weed control options available; for e.g.
mechanical, hot water, hot water foam, steam etc.
We are aware of the concerns associated with the use of glyphosate and accordingly
review any glyphosate-based products for potential risks to the spray operator, public
and receiving environment before authorising its use under our contract. We have
restricted the use of certain glyphosate products, e.g. products containing POEA,
which are found to be more harmful to the receiving environment.
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
The decision by Auckland Council to release the information contained in this
response was made by
Taryn Crewe, General Manager Parks and Community
Facilities, Sam Hill, General Manager, Environmental Services and Craig
Mcilroy, General Manager Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience. You have the right to complain to the Ombudsman if you believe we have not
responded appropriately to your request. Information about how to make a complaint
is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you have any further queries, please contact me quoting official information request
number 8140015946.
Kind regards,
Fernanda Maciel
Privacy and Official Information Business Partner
Customer Experience and Digital Services
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
