Report by Hana Blackmore
Auckland Councillors at the last Regional & Strategy Policy Committee meeting of their term roundly reject the Mayor’s proposed review of the Weed Management Policy in favour of properly implementing it.
An amendment for a total moratorium on glyphosate use in public places is strongly supported but ruled out of order on a technicality. But in a move that delights the public in attendance, councillors resolve to express their unanimous concern about the use of glyphosate to the incoming council.
Councillors were courteous and considerate in receiving half a dozen detailed and passionate public forum presentations asking that the policy review on the agenda that day was rejected and a moratorium on the use of glyphosate in public places be implemented.
Presentations include children from Michael Park School, in Ellerslie reciting a verse they had composed themselves. The school was at the forefront of the battle against chemical herbicides in the 1980s, initiating and bringing into effect a total ban on herbicide use on roadsides and sports-fields in their area.
It was not lost on many people that these were the ‘grandchildren’ of the original parent activists – still having to fight for a chemical free environment to grow up in.
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Presentations kicked off with Steffan Browning, Green Party MP and, spokesperson for organics, pesticides, GE, food safety and biosecurity with his detailed EPA concerns, followed by Hana Blackmore for the WMA and her call for full public participation and a moratorium on glyphosate during any agreed review process.
Fiona McKee introduced the children as part of her thoughtful presentation from the community of Michael Park School Ellerslie and was followed by Julian Bartrom who detailed his experience as a child severely affected by the sprays in the 80s, to his work now raising awareness of the health risks of glyphosate use.
Waitakere Local Board members Neil Henderson and Saffron Toms wrapped up the public forum items with not just their views on the issue but some of the positive work they have been engaged in to reduce the use of chemicals.
In the debate that followed there were strong support speeches from councillors all with a very clear message that there was nothing wrong with the policy, it was a really good policy – it just needed to be implemented. A number of councillors had been in office during the development and adoption process of the policy in 2013 and did not want to go through it all again!
Councillor Mike Lee seemed to sum it all up before the substantive motion was put and agreed:
“Now there’s a big Latinate word called moratorium which is a bit scary but I think in your recommendation Mr Chairman continue to monitor and review implementation – that is a signal to our officers – to our officials – to use common-sense and if a moratorium is too big and scary how about the plain old English words – cut it out.
Cut it out where it’s around children or in areas where common-sense would dictate that it’s not really appropriate and take a precautionary approach and use alternative methods. So Mr Chairman I’m happy to support your recommendation and I’m happy to support Cllr Casey’s enhancement of it.”
See video links here to the presentations and debate:
Opening of Committee
Presentation by Steffan Browning and Q&A session. Presentation by Hana Blackmore of the Weed Management Advisory (WMA)
Cont. with Hana Blackmore and Q&A session. Presentation by Fiona McKee, Community of Michael Park School with children of Michael Park School reciting their own verse.
Presentation by Julian Bartrom Ellerslie local businessman and Q&A session. Presentation by Waitakere Ranges Local Board members, Neil Henderson & Saffron Toms.
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Continuation with Neil Henderson & Saffron Toms, Waitakere Ranges Local Board and Q&A session. Debate on the review – Cllr Wood, Cllr Casey, Cllr Wayne Walker
Continuation of debate – Cllr Wayne Walker, Cllr Fletcher, Cllr Filipaina, Cllr Casey, Cllr Watson (amendment)
Continuation of debate – Cllr Watson, Cllr Wayne Walker, Cllr Webster, Cllr Cooper, Cllr Casey, Cllr Darby, Cllr Mike Lee,
Cont. of debate – Cllr Mike Lee. Amendment motion to express concern to incoming council re glyphosate – agreed unanimous. Cllr Penrose, Cllr Filipaina, Cllr Fletcher.
Continuation of debate – Cllr Fletcher, Cllr Stewart – substantive motion agreed.
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Weed Management Advisory 