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Waikato District Council - Te Kaunihera aa Takiwaa o Waikato

Maintaining berms and roadside vegetation

Council, property owners and residents work together to maintain Waikato district’s berms, verges and road reserves. Together, we mow the grass and trim overgrown plants to reduce road, fire and vermin hazards.

Who is responsible for what

The exact duties and responsibilities for berm maintenance depend on whether the berm is inside or outside an urban area.

What is a berm?

A berm (also known as road reserve or verge) is the strip of grass or land between a property and the road. Footpaths are laid on the berm. The purpose of a berm is to:

  • provide a safe space for pedestrians
  • accommodate public services such as bus stops
  • accommodate public utilities such as power, water, gas and communication
The area of land known as the berm
This diagram shows the area of land commonly known as the berm.

Urban berm maintenance

Property owners will:

  • mow the grass on the berm
  • maintain any alternative planting on the berm (whether new or existing)
  • trim trees and plants overhanging or overgrowing from their property

Council will:

  • trim trees planted by Council
  • mow berms outside Council properties
Is my property urban?

Every property in the Waikato district has an assigned zone.

How to find your zone:

  1. Search for your property on the District Plan
  2. In your search results, look under ‘Property Zones and Overlays’ to see your zone

Urban berm maintenance advice applies to the following urban zones:

  • general residential zone (GRZ)
  • large lot residential zone (LLZ)
  • medium density residential zone (MDRZ)

It also applies to the following special purpose zones:

  • business Tamahere zone (BTZ)
  • corrections zone (CORZ)
  • future urban zone (FUZ)
  • Hopuhopu zone (HOPZ)
  • Kimihia Lakes zone (KLZ)
  • Mercer airport zone (MAZ)
  • Motorsport and recreation zone (MSRZ)
  • Matangi zone (MTZ)
  • Rangitahi Peninsula zone (RPZ)
  • Te Kowhai airpark zone (TKAZ)
  • TaTa Valley zone (TTZ)

Outside urban areas

On roads with a speed limit of 70km/h and over

Property owners will trim trees and plants overhanging or overgrowing from their property.

Council will:

  • mow the grass 1.5-2 metres from the roads edge
  • spray for weeds
  • trim trees, plants and hedges on the berm
  • clear litter and illegal dumping on the berm

Good to know: Sometimes Council will clear vegetation more than 2 meters from corners and intersections to improve visibility for road users.

Note: Council employs contractors to maintain agreed work areas. From time to time, contractors may carry out additional work outside these areas voluntarily. Council is not obligated to repeat or continue this additional work.

Traffic islands and roundabouts

Council maintains the vegetation on traffic islands and roundabouts.

Getting help to maintain your berm

Safety reasons

If you believe it is unsafe to maintain your berm, contact Council to discuss your options.

info@waidc.govt.nz

Tip: Put ‘berm maintenance’ in the subject line of your email.

Health and disability reasons 

If you are physically incapable of maintaining your berm, you can apply for support from Work and Income Te Hiranga Tangata.

Work and Income: Contact us

Other ways to use the berm

Planting a garden on the berm is known as alternative planting. Planting on the berm can create hazards and make it hard for Council to maintain utilities under the berm (such as power, water, gas and communication). Always seek permission from Council before planting on the berm.

Fees

There is no application fee.

How to apply

If you want to plant on the berm, email info@waidc.govt.nz.

Remember to include:

  • your address
  • a list of the types of plants you plan to use
  • a sketch showing where the plants will be placed on the berm

Tip: Put 'planting on the berm' in the subject line of your email.

What happens next?

If we approve your application, you can start planting on the berm.

Be aware: You are responsible for all costs related to the installation, maintenance, and removal of alternative planting. If Council needs to remove your plants to do work or for safety reasons, we will not replace them or give you compensation.

If you want to graze animals on a rural berm, first seek permission from Council to temporarily or permanently fence the road reserve.

Find out more about roads and livestock.

Objects on the berm can be a safety hazard for road users. Do not place objects on the berm, including:

  • rocks or boulders
  • sculptures
  • potted plants
  • poles
  • playground or sport equipment

Asking Council not to weed spray your berm

Council weed sprays berms in rural areas 1-4 times a year.

We weed spray to:

  • keep road drainage systems clear 
  • get rid of noxious and undesirable plants
  • ensure road users have a clear line of sight on corners

If you do not want us to weed spray your grassed area, apply to have your berm listed as a no spray zone.

Be aware: You must agree to meet certain conditions in maintaining your berm.

Fees

There is no application fee.

How to apply

  1. Download and fill in the form

    Application for a no spray zone (PDF 96KB)

  2. Sketch your no spray zone

    Draw the area you want Council to avoid spraying. Include landmarks, features and distances in your sketch.

  3. Scan your form and sketch
  4. Send your form and sketch to us

    Email your form and sketch to:

    info@waidc.govt.nz

    Tip: Put ‘no spray zone’ in the subject line of your email.

What happens next

If we approve your application, you will be added to the ‘No Spray Register’.

If we decline your application, Council will contact you to discuss the reasons and find a solution.

Displaying your markers

We will ask you to collect your ‘no spray markers’ from Council. To prevent our contractors from spraying your berm, place your markers at the beginning and end of your frontage. Always keep them in place.

Related policies

Verge Maintenance Policy

pdf,  115 KB Download

Tree Policy

pdf,  175 KB Download

Related legislation

Public Places Bylaw 2023

pdf,  176 KB Download
Government Roading Powers Act 1989

Report a problem

Tell us about:

  • overgrown berms
  • overhanging roadside vegetation

Report a road or footpath issue

Overgrown vegetation near power lines

Report it to WEL Networks

Who to contact for more help

Talk to our Roading team. We can answer any questions you have about berm maintenance.

info@waidc.govt.nz

Tip: Put 'berm maintenance' in the subject line of your email.

Last updated 26 May 2026, 02:01 pm

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