Weed Control FAQs

Council provides public notification at least 48 hours in advance of spraying broadleaf lawns in Councils large reserves or open areas accessible to people or animals. Notification is communicated through signage. Strict guidelines govern what can be sprayed and when, taking into account factors such as weather conditions, equipment, and pedestrian activity. Spraying near sensitive areas like schools, playgrounds, and kindergartens is limited to ensure safety.

For the routine spraying along footpath edges, boundaries, posts, poles, and signage, public notification is not is not required. These activities are carried out with clear signage displayed on the front and back of the machinery at the time of spraying. If this type of spraying occurs within a park or reserve, additional signs are placed at the entrances saying warning spraying in progress to inform visitors.

Council's open spaces contractors engaged to apply Agri-chemicals are Growsafe Qualified and Approved Handlers of the required products.

Council also operates a ‘no-spray’ register whereby residents can choose not to have glysophate used on road reserves in the urban areas and wall lines outside their private houses. Once registered, residents are responsible for meeting specific weed control requirements.

While Council’s Open Space Maintenance Contractor applies Glyphosate 360 in playground areas with cushion fall surfaces to effectively eliminate deeply rooted weeds such as woody perennials, such treatments are typically localised to targeted areas. It's important to note that Glyphosate 360 is not applied to actively used sports fields.

Council advises the Contractor that your property has been added to the no Spray Register List. This can take up to 2 weeks from advising us until it comes into effect.

You can advise us at any time if you want to be added, removed or have your details updated. We will also contact you annually during the growth season to remind you of what is required to remain on the no-spray register.

We want to know if you are moving so that we can let our contractors know if they need to remove the property off the no-spray register. It is up to the new resident to advise us if they want to be added on to the no-spray register.

If your property is registered, it means that you are now responsible to mange weeds and vegetation within the agreed berm, kerb and channel adjacent to your property boundary to Council specifications.

Please contact Customer Services Team on (06) 366 0999 or email us at enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz and we will arrange for our contractor to repair or replace them at no charge.

A headwall is a small retaining wall built at the inlet or outlet of a storm water drainage pipe or culvert pipe. Industries put them in place to reduce any erosion to the pipe and surrounding area caused by the constant flow of water.

Kerb and channel is a concrete structure, typically located at the edge of a road. It is designed to provide road drainage and prevent water entering under the road surface, which helps council to maintain road condition and reduce the amount of potholes and road defects.

Survey pegs/ markers are used to mark out residential boundaries and indicate points and positions of a site. They are usually made of wood (although some are made of metal or plastic) and come in different sizes and coloured tops.