"There's been some prolific growth around Rotorua and we are chasing our tails trying to keep up with it.
"Usually at this time of year the grass browns off and dries up.
"We will get on top of it, and admit it doesn't look the best, but our mowing crews are doing their best to keep up," he said.
In September last year, district councillors approved a plan to cut back on vegetation control in rural areas, including Mamaku, after the New Zealand Transport Agency cut its funding for local roading projects.
The agency said the council could maintain its existing infrastructure with the money they would provide. However, council engineers calculated they would be about $2.5 million short. The council decided to go from seven mows a year to three in rural areas, saving $30,000.