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The Green Party says 18 councils around New Zealand are spraying playing fields with a highly toxic insecticide banned in more than 50 countries.
The party has published a survey of 85 regional, district and city councils, revealing that 18 used Endosulfan in the past year.
"To my knowledge, New Zealand is the only country in the world that sprays Endosulfan on sports fields," said health spokeswoman Sue Kedgley.
"Endosulfan is a highly toxic insecticide which affects peoples' hormonal system and is linked to breast cancer, endometriosis, male breast enlargement and delayed sexual maturity."
Ms Kedgley said the councils were using Endosulfan to kill earthworms.
"There is absolutely no need for children to be put at risk by the use of this toxic chemical," she said.
"The problem can be safely treated by simply altering the ph of the soil with acidifying fertilisers and creating an environment the earthworms don't like."
The Greens have identified six city councils and 12 district councils they say use the insecticide:
City councils: Dunedin, Hamilton, Manukau, Napier, Nelson and Wellington.
District councils: Hauraki, Manawatu, Masterton, Matamata-Piako, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Rodney, Rotorua, Stratford, Western Bay of Plenty, Westland and Whangarei.
- NZPA
