Legal action has forced a contentious aerial spray programme in West Auckland to be delayed for a year.
Spraying of willows on 23 hectares of private land at Te Henga near Bethells Beach was due to begin on Wednesday, but was stopped by an interim injunction order issued by the High Court in Auckland.
The lawyer for the councils behind the programme told the court on Thursday the opportunity to spray this year has now gone. The next opportunity will be next year.
The matter will now be called for a hearing at a later stage.
