The Green Party is applauding Christchurch City Council’s decision to restrict the use of glyphosate-based weed killers in spaces open to the public, and is calling on other councils around New Zealand to follow suit. Christchurch councillors voted yesterday to restrict the use of glyphosate – a probable carcinogen – in areas accessible to the public. The decision aligns with an ongoing campaign by the Green Party to limit the use of glyphosate in public streets and parks. “We’re pleased...

Ongoing protests against Australian mining company Newcrest on Mt Karangahake show why minerals exploration should be publicly notified and companies need to listen to community concerns before they start mining, the Green Party said. “Exploratory mining activities should go through a public notification process before they’re consented, to give communities an opportunity to have their voices heard,” Green Party Coromandel-based MP Catherine Delahunty said. “Hauraki District Council has failed its community by shutting people out of the resource consent process...

Auckland Council’s decision to replace safe hot water-based weed control with the potentially toxic herbicide glyphosate in playgrounds, parks, and streets raises questions about whether communities are having their desire to remain spray-free ignored, the Green Party said. On Friday, an attempt by two Auckland Councillors to return to using hot water-based weed management across the whole city was ruled out of order. “It looks like communities and local boards who want to be spray free are being ignored by...

The Green Party is calling on local authorities around the country to follow Christchurch City Council’s lead today and review the amount of glyphosate – a probable carcinogen – it uses to control weeds. Christchurch City Council voted to restrict the use of glyphosate to control weeds in areas not accessible to the public, and to use fatty acid weedkillers and manual techniques in public spaces like parks and residential areas. “Local authorities are becoming more aware of the hazard...