Dear Environmental Protection Authority,

I am making this request under the Official Information Act 1982.
Background (for context)
I recently raised concerns with Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) after observing a significant amount of glyphosate-based herbicide being sprayed directly into a stream adjacent to my property. A subsequent Official Information Act response from Kāpiti Coast District Council confirmed that the product used was Weed Weapon Glyphosate 510.
GWRC investigated the matter and advised that no enforcement action would be taken, in part because EPA rules were said to permit glyphosate use “around streams” and that there was a lack of clarity in EPA guidance regarding spraying near waterways. GWRC also indicated that this lack of clarity limited their ability to take enforcement action.
Given this, I am seeking clarity directly from the Environmental Protection Authority regarding the guidance it provides to regional councils and territorial authorities on this matter.
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Information requested
Please provide the following information:
1. EPA guidance to councils
o Copies of any written guidance, advice, circulars, or interpretations issued by the EPA to regional councils or territorial authorities regarding the use of glyphosate-based herbicides:
 in or near waterways,
 on land where spray may enter water via runoff or direct application.
2. Interpretation of product label instructions
o EPA’s interpretation of manufacturer label and Safety Data Sheet instructions for approved glyphosate products (including Weed Weapon Glyphosate 510), specifically where those instructions state:
 “Do not apply directly to water,” and/or
 “Avoid contamination of waterways” or similar wording.
o How EPA expects councils and enforcement agencies to reconcile these instructions with permitted activity rules under regional plans.
3. Buffer distances
o Whether EPA has issued, endorsed, or relied upon any recommended buffer distances (e.g. distance from waterways) for glyphosate application, either formally or informally.
o If no buffer distances are specified, the rationale for this and how risks to aquatic environments are intended to be managed in practice.
4. Enforcement expectations
o What EPA expects regional councils to do where glyphosate is observed entering waterways, either directly or indirectly.
o Whether EPA considers spraying glyphosate directly into water to be:
 prohibited,
 permitted,
 or dependent on conditions or consents.
5. Communication with GWRC
o Copies of any correspondence, guidance, or advice provided by EPA to Greater Wellington Regional Council relating to glyphosate use near waterways, including any discussions about regulatory ambiguity or enforcement thresholds.
6. Regulatory clarity
o Whether EPA acknowledges that current guidance may be unclear or inconsistently interpreted by councils.
o If so, whether EPA intends to issue clearer or updated national guidance to ensure consistent environmental protection.
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Purpose of request
This request is made in good faith to understand how EPA guidance is intended to operate in practice, particularly where regional councils have indicated uncertainty about enforcement due to perceived ambiguity in EPA rules.
I am not seeking personal remedies, but clarity on national expectations to ensure waterways are appropriately protected and regulatory responsibilities are clearly understood.

Yours faithfully,

David