Outrage around council weedkiller pre-concert

Anti-spray activists are livid at Auckland Council contractors for spraying a controversial weedkiller the day before a concert.

Glyphosate was sprayed on the park at Armour Bay beach in West Auckland the day before a Music in Parks event on February 25.

A World Health Organisation report from 2015 classified glyphosate as ‘‘probably carcinogenic’’, it also said there was ’’strong evidence for genotoxicity’’.

But, New Zealand’s Environment Protection Authority reviewed the use of glyphosate in the wake of the WHO report, concluding in August 2016 that the chemical was ‘‘unlikely to be genotoxic or carcinogenic in humans’’.

Beatrice Pritchard attended the Music in Parks event and said she was horrified to see dogs, barefoot children and barefoot dancers stepping repeatedly on the sprayed areas.

Auckland Council manager of health and safety Mike Tucker said controls were in place to safeguard people and the environment.