FAQs - Berm

No, road reserve berms should be kept free of vegetation including trees to ensure the safe use of the road and footpath users. We value our residents taking pride in their roadside berms - trees can beautify a street but they also have an ongoing maintenance legacy long after the well-intentioned planter.

The established trees on berms within our district require care. If any road reserve planting is deemed to be a hazard, Council can require it to be trimmed or removed. This is for public safety reasons; to ensure clear sight lines and clearance from impact on footpaths, roads, streetlights, drainage and underground infrastructure.

No, road reserve berms are to be grassed lawn areas only, and should be kept free of vegetation (including vegetables), to ensure safe use of the road and footpath for all users.

If any road reserve planting is deemed to be a hazard, Council can require that it be trimmed or removed. This is for public safety reasons; to ensure clear sight lines and clearance from footpaths, roads, streetlights and drainage.

No, Council’s Open Spaces Maintenance Team will maintain a spray band around the edge of a bus shelter but the mowing of the berm is the responsibility of the property owner.

Yes, this is for public safety reasons; to ensure clear sight lines and clearance from footpaths, roads, streetlights and drainage.

This situation highlights the balancing act we face in local government—listening to those who participated in the formal consultation process, where 88% supported cutting berm mowing, versus those who are now raising concerns on platforms like Facebook.

Ultimately, decisions must consider the views expressed during consultation, but we remain committed to listening to all voices and will continue to monitor the situation closely as we move forward.

The full consultation can be found here: Long Term Plan 2024 - 2044

You can also find out more on our Community voice plays a major role in Council's LTP Deliberations news item.

We don’t currently have a bylaw specifically relating to the maintenance of berms. However berms are mentioned and defined in the Horowhenua District Council Land Transport Bylaw 2024 (page 5) as:

'berm means a path or grass strip beside a road and or footpath.'

Land Transport Bylaw 2024

Council is continuing to look at providing a guide for residents and businesses on what can be undertaken on a berm, for those who are interested in alternative beautification.

We're aiming to provide this in 2025. Until then, we appreciate the care and effort residents are putting in to keep their berms looking well-kept.  

If there's a property in your neighbourhood that you believe is a health and safety hazard due to an unkept section, you might first try to talk to the property owner. If this doesn't resolve the problem, contact Council to report your concern.

A berm or verge is usually a grass area between the footpath and your property or business. It can also be the berm around the sides or back of your property.

In the Horowhenua District it's the property owner’s responsibility to maintain the berm outside of their home or business.

Council does maintain some berm areas in the district, including those along key thoroughfares, where berms are too dangerous or too difficult for residents to manage, and those around our reserves and playgrounds.

Council’s Open Spaces Maintenance delivery team manages the vegetation on all of our road to road walkways, alongside our reserves, parks and through our town centres.

Council takes fire safety seriously, and we encourage residents to report any potential hazards so they can be dealt with promptly. Our Open Spaces Maintenance team will continue to manage weeds around service assets such as poles and posts to ensure that key areas remain safe and tidy.

If there's a property in your neighbourhood that you believe is a fire risk, you might first try to talk to the property owner.

If this doesn't resolve the problem, contact Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) to let them know about your concern by completing their Potential Fire Hazard online form for overgrown sections via their website or call 0800 336 942. Please keep in mind that FENZ is here to help with real fire hazards and isn't able to step in when it comes to general property tidiness.

FENZ - Hazards