Saturday 7 February 2026
Otago Regional Council (ORC) advises the public of its intention to undertake aerial spraying on targeted sections of the rivers listed below.
Spraying will be carried out by drone in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regional Plan: Air for Otago, Regional Plan: Water, and the applicable EPA permissions.
The spray will target gorse, broom, lupin, and juvenile willow located on beaches and islands within the main river corridors.
Holders of known water takes in these areas will be notified separately.
Spraying is planned to begin from mid-February 2026 and be completed by the end of March 2026. Actual spray dates will be weather-dependent and subject to contractor availability.
The rivers included in this programme are:
A map of the spray areas is available on ORC’s website at orc.govt.nz/DunstanSpraying26.
Please note: the map shows the indicative extent of the programme only. It does not identify the specific target sites within these boundaries. Only confirmed target areas located on beaches and islands will be sprayed.
For any enquiries, please contact customerservices@orc.govt.nz or call 0800 474 082.
If you notice air, water, or land pollution in Otago, call the Pollution Hotline which is staffed 24/7 on 0800 800 033 to report it or fill in the form.
We want to hear about all pests found, but if you see any of these, please get in touch urgently, and with as much detail as you can
Discover everything about pests in Otago, from our comprehensive pest plan to the challenges posed by harmful organisms. Learn how to identify these pests, understand why they're problematic, and find out what actions you can take to safeguard Otago's ecosystems.
