Seen something unusual? MAKE A REPORT
Seen something unusual? MAKE A REPORT
There are eight organisms identified as the biggest biosecurity threat to New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
21/02/2025
Legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables are now in place in the Auckland suburb of Birkdale and nearby areas on the North Shore following the detection of a single male Oriental fruit fly. The horticulture pest was found in one of Biosecurity New Zealand’s national surveillance traps which are placed in fruit trees in residential back yards. Other traps in the area checked in recent days have showed no signs of other flies and initial investigations have found no other signs to date. Biosecurity New Zealand staff have been busy in the area today laying more traps and giving out information to households. Around 100 additional traps which specifically target oriental fruit fly are being placed within a 1500m area of the original find. You can find a detailed map of the controlled area and a full description of the boundaries and rules in place here. The controlled area has two zones – A and B. Zone A is a 200m zone. Zone B covers a 1500m area. No whole fresh fruit and vegetables, except for leafy vegetables and soil free root vegetables, can be moved outside Zone A. This applies to all produce, regardless of whether it was bought or grown. All fruit and vegetables grown within Zone B cannot be moved out of the controlled area. These legal controls are an important precaution. Should there be any more flies out there, this will help prevent their spread out of the area. It is likely the restrictions will be in place for at least two weeks. KVH is working closely with Biosecurity New Zealand and other horticultural Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners on these actions to minimise the risk to kiwifruit growers. While it's disappointing to detect another Oriental fruit fly so soon after closing the previous response in Papatoetoe, the latest find highlights the value of trapping and surveillance efforts, which members of the kiwifruit growing community fully support. Biosecurity New Zealand website for detailed movement restriction information and fact sheets. KVH Oriental fruit fly fact sheet. KVH Oriental fruit fly identification guide.
Read more20/02/2025
A biosecurity operation is under way and extra field teams are today in the suburb of Birkdale, on Auckland’s North Shore, after the find of a single male Oriental fruit fly in a surveillance trap in a suburban backyard. This is the same species of fruit fly that we responded to in Papatoetoe recently, but it is too early to say whether the two finds are linked. Further DNA analysis of the fly will take place over the coming days. With this latest detection, activities are moving quickly to look for any other flies and eradicate them. Biosecurity New Zealand are ramping up trapping and inspection, with daily checks in a 200-metre zone from the original find and checks every three days in a second zone out to 1500m. The capture of a single male does not mean we have a breeding population. However, while checks are underway for other fruit flies, the community is being asked to help prevent any possible spread. As a precautionary measure, legal restrictions will be put in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fruit fly was found. Instructions about these controls and the exact area affected will be issued tomorrow (Friday). Response staff will be out tomorrow providing people with information. KVH is working closely with Biosecurity New Zealand and other horticultural Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners on these actions to minimise the risk to kiwifruit growers. There have been 13 incursions of different fruit fly in Auckland and Northland since 1996 and all have been successfully eradicated. Read more about Oriental fruit flies here – including images. We will provide further updates and information as our response actions continue.
Read more13/02/2025
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe have been lifted after no further evidence of the Oriental fruit fly was found in the area. The decision to end the operation follows more than a month of intensive fruit fly trapping and inspections of hundreds of kilograms of fruit. Residents and businesses in the affected area have supported the movement controls, keeping an eye out for fruit flies and safely disposing of fruit in provided bins – vital to helping protect the kiwifruit industry and wider horticultural sector. Biosecurity New Zealand quickly placed legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in an area of Papatoetoe on 4 January after a single male Oriental fruit fly was identified from a national surveillance trap. No further adult fruit flies, eggs, larvae, or pupae have been found. With no further detections over six weeks, the response governance group (including Biosecurity New Zealand and KVH, alongside other horticulture industry groups) is confident the Controlled Area Notice restrictions can be lifted and response operations closed. The checking of 7800 fruit fly traps around the country, including some 200 traps in the Papatoetoe/Māngere area, will continue as normal. KVH thanks the great work of our industry partners APAC and Punchbowl for their assistance in response activities - by working together, and responding quickly, we have managed this situation well and limited impacts to our industry and growers. Key figures: More than 1500 visits made to check the 109 fruit fly response traps in Papatoetoe/Māngere. Over 600 biosecurity bins distributed within the community to collect produce waste for safe disposal. More than 470 kilos of fruit cut up and examined for any signs of fruit fly eggs or larvae. More than 150 staff involved throughout the response, and kiwifruit industry personnel from KVH, APAC and Punchbowl. Read more about the detection and activities that lead to this successful outcome on our website here.
Read more13/02/2025
It only takes one – one risk item to damage New Zealand, one moment to look up the rules to avoid a $400 fine, one moment to check your luggage... This is the theme of Biosecurity New Zealand’s refreshed border campaign, designed to encourage arriving travellers to comply with biosecurity rules. Based on the latest research into what motivates or discourages compliance, the campaign prompts travellers to think about specific items that pose a biosecurity risk, including food and outdoor equipment such as boots and tents. The campaign uses digital ads to target travellers when they are planning their trip, including when they go online to book flights or accommodation. The ads link to Biosecurity New Zealand’s website, which provides a tool for checking requirements for items. So far, the campaign focuses on trans-Tasman travellers and New Zealanders returning from overseas during the holiday period. This has included new signage at Australian airports. And, for the first time ever, digital signs at New Zealand airports aimed at getting departing Kiwis to think about the rules before they return home. The campaign will shortly also target other nationalities, including India, China, the United States, the Philippines, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The targeting is based on visitor volumes, seizure rates and research showing levels of biosecurity awareness among different travellers.
Read more13/02/2025
Last week KVH hosted a third emergency response training session, further upskilling industry personnel in the system used if and when we ever need to activate in an emergency response. This continues the ongoing commitment towards industry readiness for events such as cyclones, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, ensuring various people with various skills and experience are trained and become familiar with the planning and processes that would be put in place within the Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) we use should an industry emergency event be triggered. Zespri, KVH and post-harvest were represented and KVH regional coordinators from Whangarei, Wanganui and Hawke's Bay also travelled to this training, representing an important link to growers in the regions. Representatives from NZ Apples and Pears, NZ Wine and NZ Avocados also joined our kiwifruit industry attendees as an opportunity to share learnings across multiple sectors which may be involved simultaneously in a response. Covered over the two days was how to create a strong induction process to support and encourage responders and set a positive tone for the response; tools for building situational awareness of complex emergency events; and the structure and roles of response teams and governance members. Building an understanding of action plans, situation reports and being involved in incident management team meetings gave attendees some powerful engagement experience and built confidence in how they could play a key role in the support of industry response efforts to ensure all growers are well supported in times of need.
Read more13/02/2025
We’re all plant lovers around here, and not only of the kiwifruit variety. Combined that with our collective thirst for innovation, and you get this article about the Kratky method. What is it? Hydroponic experts say it's the easiest way to grow plants in water - it's essentially the most low-maintenance DIY hydroponic garden you can create. The Kratky method doesn't require any mechanics, such as the water pumps used in electrical hydroponic systems. Instead, it focuses on the suspension of plants above water, allowing indoor gardeners to grow their own crops without the need for lots of equipment. Here's how to do it at home.
Read more13/02/2025
Next in our series of team member introductions is Matt Dyck, our Biosecurity Manager, well known to many of you and a regular presenter at grower roadshows around the country. We started this series late last year to share more about the roles we have, and how each of us interact with you, our readers, and growers, in our day-to-day activities. My focus since joining KVH in 2013 has been on reducing the likelihood and impact of another biosecurity incursion to the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. Initially this was quite a distinct activity from the Psa focus of the organisation and industry at the time, but it is pleasing to see how we have evolved to where this is now KVH’s main focus. There are many different activities that contribute to our biosecurity preparedness for future threats, and one of the benefits of having been with KVH for over a decade now is that I have had the privilege of being involved in many of these, including partnerships with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sectors under the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response (GIA); establishment of our biosecurity scheme for safer movement of plant material; developing deployment networks for biosecurity responses; and working with Zespri Innovation to drive research that will address gaps in our preparedness for future threats - this also includes managing risk of movements within our industry and the implementation and operation of the National Kiwifruit Pathway Management Plan is a key part of my role. I also work with MPI and other horticultural sectors to prepare for threats that we have in common, such as fruit fly and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB). I am currently Chair of the Fruit Fly Council and Plant Pass, a national biosecurity scheme to provide safe movement for all types of nursery plant material. On a lighter note, when I’m not in the office my favourite place to be is out in the water surfing – normally at home in the Mount, but I’ll jump in anywhere so next time we catch up for a chat, no matter the growing region, let me know the best spots!
Read more13/02/2025
A reminder that you can report unusual symptoms or pests to us online, anytime. Our digital form provides an alternative to our existing 0800 phone line and means you can report the unusual in the way that suits you best. It’s a quick and easy process, including submitting photos and location. Reports are processed by the KVH team, and you also get an email copy of your report for your own records. If you’re unsure about making a report and whether it is urgent, you can also contact the KVH office at info@kvh.org.nz or 0800 665 825 for advice. The Biosecurity New Zealand hotline also operates 24/7 on 0800 80 99 66. The most important thing, regardless of how you choose to make a report, is to do so as soon as you suspect you’ve found something of concern. All reports are valuable and the earlier they are made the more action can be taken to limit impacts.
Read more13/02/2025
The February Zespri Grower Roadshows start soon and we look forward to seeing you there. We’ll be speaking at each location, providing an update on the fruit fly response and industry biosecurity surveillance systems (including recent unusual symptom reports) alongside presentations from Zespri and NZKGI. The roadshows run 17 – 27 February and will all be held in person, with an option to join the Te Puke event online. Register here.
Read more30/01/2025
Next in our series of team member introductions is Kerry O’Neil, our Monitoring & Compliance Officer. We started this series late last year to share more about the roles we have, and how each of us interact with you, our readers, and growers, in our day-to-day activities. I’ve been with KVH since December 2021 and day-to-day you’ll see me working with various people and groups across the industry to keep raising the bar and improve our biosecurity practices, organising various monitoring programmes, developing protocols, and ensuring compliance standards are met, so that we all continue managing biosecurity risks. I also audit pack-houses, kiwifruit processors, budwood suppliers, and pollen mills, and try to streamline these processes to keep them as quick and easy as possible for you. I quite enjoy helping nurseries wanting to join the Kiwifruit Plant Certification Scheme (KPCS) – especially working on their manuals, and organising sampling, testing, and external auditing. Before joining KVH, I worked at the Tauranga City Council in regulation and compliance, specifically with food and health registrations and alcohol licensing. Outside of work, I find it hard to say no to a round of golf. I travel a lot so next time I’m in your region I’d love to hear any local recommendations.
Read more30/01/2025
We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Zespri Grower Roadshows. We’ll be speaking at each location, providing an update on the fruit fly response and industry biosecurity surveillance systems, including recent unusual symptom reports, alongside presentations from Zespri and NZKGI. The roadshows run 17 – 27 February and will all be held in person, with an option to join the Te Puke event online. Register here.
Read more30/01/2025
What am I? This week we have an image for you – can you guess the object? Our industry-led exotic stink bug surveillance system in the Bay of Plenty has kicked off again this year, thanks to industry organisations working alongside us, and as well as the standard sticky pheromone traps that have been used in previous years, some of the sites now also include one of these – an aerodynamic trap. These Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) traps are shaped like a windvane which helps the pheromone travel further, attracting more stink bugs to the area. Originally trialled in kiwifruit in Italy through co-funding from the Zespri Biosecurity Innovation portfolio, it was exciting to see this research being implemented last year on a field visit with other members of the BMSB Council, and now we’ve got eight of our own as part of this year’s industry surveillance network at 14 sites – mainly pack-houses - from Mount Maunganui and Te Puke to Te Puna and Katikati. Our surveillance enhances nationwide efforts while raising awareness of stink bugs across the kiwifruit industry and providing practical, tangible monitoring activities. Importantly, it also builds capability within the industry for any stink bug response, whether that be specifically dedicated to kiwifruit or to assist in joint efforts involving other industries. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) oversees the national BMSB surveillance programme, which operates on an entry risk basis, using lure traps and vegetation searches on a fortnightly basis during the high-risk season of September through to the end April each year. Most trapping efforts are concentrated in the main centres, primarily Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Read more about BMSB, including latest detection data, here.
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The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is an emerging biosecurity threat to kiwifruit and many other horticultural industries. The pest is hard to control and is a proven invader, capable of flying and hitchhiking on inanimate objects.
SLF attacks over 70 host species, including kiwifruit, grapes, stonefruit and pipfruit. It's preferred host is Tree of Heaven, which is present in New Zealand and considered an invasive weed.
Adults and nymphs feed on young stems and bark tissue with their piercing and sucking mouthparts and excrete large amounts of sticky liquid called honeydew. Extensive feeding results in oozing wounds on trunks, wilting and death of branches. It could severely impact the kiwifruit industry through the sooty mould left on fruit, which renders the fruit unmarketable.
Pest ranking based on the KVH risk matrix
View risk matrixNative to Asia, SLF has invaded North America, where it's numbers have grown rapidly. It is thought to have entered as egg masses on landscaping stone from China and eradication attempts have been unsuccessful. The impacts of SLF have been described as worse than Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB).
How could it get to New Zealand? The SLF lays its eggs in clusters on smooth surfaces (including vehicles and machinery, shipping containers, and garden furniture) and covers them with a protective layer of wax.
The eggs can then hitchhike on these and other commodities imported into New Zealand. The egg masses are difficult to see and hard to treat with insecticide - see images below of egg masses on kiwifruit and tree bark.
KVH investigates reports of unusual symptoms to identify and manage any biosecurity risks.
21 Feb 2025
Legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables are now in place in the Auckland suburb of Birkdale and nearby areas on the North Shore following the detection of a single male Oriental fruit fly. The horticulture pest was found in one of Biosecurity New Zealand’s national surveillance traps which are placed in fruit trees in residential back yards. Other traps in the area checked in recent days have showed no signs of other flies and initial investigations have found no other signs to date. Biosecurity New Zealand staff have been busy in the area today laying more traps and giving out information to households. Around 100 additional traps which specifically target oriental fruit fly are being placed within a 1500m area of the original find. You can find a detailed map of the controlled area and a full description of the boundaries and rules in place here. The controlled area has two zones – A and B. Zone A is a 200m zone. Zone B covers a 1500m area. No whole fresh fruit and vegetables, except for leafy vegetables and soil free root vegetables, can be moved outside Zone A. This applies to all produce, regardless of whether it was bought or grown. All fruit and vegetables grown within Zone B cannot be moved out of the controlled area. These legal controls are an important precaution. Should there be any more flies out there, this will help prevent their spread out of the area. It is likely the restrictions will be in place for at least two weeks. KVH is working closely with Biosecurity New Zealand and other horticultural Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners on these actions to minimise the risk to kiwifruit growers. While it's disappointing to detect another Oriental fruit fly so soon after closing the previous response in Papatoetoe, the latest find highlights the value of trapping and surveillance efforts, which members of the kiwifruit growing community fully support. Biosecurity New Zealand website for detailed movement restriction information and fact sheets. KVH Oriental fruit fly fact sheet. KVH Oriental fruit fly identification guide.
Read more20 Feb 2025
A biosecurity operation is under way and extra field teams are today in the suburb of Birkdale, on Auckland’s North Shore, after the find of a single male Oriental fruit fly in a surveillance trap in a suburban backyard. This is the same species of fruit fly that we responded to in Papatoetoe recently, but it is too early to say whether the two finds are linked. Further DNA analysis of the fly will take place over the coming days. With this latest detection, activities are moving quickly to look for any other flies and eradicate them. Biosecurity New Zealand are ramping up trapping and inspection, with daily checks in a 200-metre zone from the original find and checks every three days in a second zone out to 1500m. The capture of a single male does not mean we have a breeding population. However, while checks are underway for other fruit flies, the community is being asked to help prevent any possible spread. As a precautionary measure, legal restrictions will be put in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fruit fly was found. Instructions about these controls and the exact area affected will be issued tomorrow (Friday). Response staff will be out tomorrow providing people with information. KVH is working closely with Biosecurity New Zealand and other horticultural Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners on these actions to minimise the risk to kiwifruit growers. There have been 13 incursions of different fruit fly in Auckland and Northland since 1996 and all have been successfully eradicated. Read more about Oriental fruit flies here – including images. We will provide further updates and information as our response actions continue.
Read more13 Feb 2025
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe have been lifted after no further evidence of the Oriental fruit fly was found in the area. The decision to end the operation follows more than a month of intensive fruit fly trapping and inspections of hundreds of kilograms of fruit. Residents and businesses in the affected area have supported the movement controls, keeping an eye out for fruit flies and safely disposing of fruit in provided bins – vital to helping protect the kiwifruit industry and wider horticultural sector. Biosecurity New Zealand quickly placed legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in an area of Papatoetoe on 4 January after a single male Oriental fruit fly was identified from a national surveillance trap. No further adult fruit flies, eggs, larvae, or pupae have been found. With no further detections over six weeks, the response governance group (including Biosecurity New Zealand and KVH, alongside other horticulture industry groups) is confident the Controlled Area Notice restrictions can be lifted and response operations closed. The checking of 7800 fruit fly traps around the country, including some 200 traps in the Papatoetoe/Māngere area, will continue as normal. KVH thanks the great work of our industry partners APAC and Punchbowl for their assistance in response activities - by working together, and responding quickly, we have managed this situation well and limited impacts to our industry and growers. Key figures: More than 1500 visits made to check the 109 fruit fly response traps in Papatoetoe/Māngere. Over 600 biosecurity bins distributed within the community to collect produce waste for safe disposal. More than 470 kilos of fruit cut up and examined for any signs of fruit fly eggs or larvae. More than 150 staff involved throughout the response, and kiwifruit industry personnel from KVH, APAC and Punchbowl. Read more about the detection and activities that lead to this successful outcome on our website here.
Read more