Seen something unusual? MAKE A REPORT
Seen something unusual? MAKE A REPORT
KVH works collaboratively with regional councils and landowners to manage wild kiwifruit populations and unmanaged orchards to reduce biosecurity risk to the New Zealand kiwifruit industry.
17/06/2026
Pick up one of KVH’s new luggage tags and take biosecurity on the road with you. Durable, eye-catching, and proudly representing our industry, they’re an effortless way to help spread the message wherever your travels take you. Perfect for suitcases, backpacks, road kits, and even laptop bags, grab yours at upcoming KVH events – while stocks last!
Read more17/06/2026
Heading into the end of harvest, growers are reminded that unpicked kiwifruit should be removed from vines by 1 July to help limit wild kiwifruit plants establishing in nearby areas, especially around native bush, or forestry. Fruit left on vines to ripen over the winter months provides a food source for birds (such as the wax-eye/tauhou) that then spread seed into the wild which readily germinates in New Zealand’s environment. Unpicked fruit needs to be dropped to the ground and mulched to prevent this from happening.
Read more17/06/2026
The KVH Board is calling for nominations for a grower director for a term of three years. Grower members will be asked to vote for their preferred nominees, and the successful candidates will be announced following this year’s annual meeting. Nominations close Friday 3 July and the AGM takes place at 9am, Thursday 20 August, at Mercury Baypark.
Read more17/06/2026
We had a busy week at the annual Mystery Creek Fieldays. Thank you for coming by and talking with us, it was great to see such interest in biosecurity – particularly the hornets in resin we had on show. The lunchtime presentations were particularly well attended, and during our talk we discussed ongoing biosecurity protection though our levy proposal – you can read more about that in full detail here. If you’d like more of the pest ID resources we had at the event, please get in touch and we’ll send you copies.
Read more17/06/2026
KVH is proposing a small increase to the biosecurity levy to ensure we can continue protecting your orchard and the wider kiwifruit industry from exotic pests and diseases. Levy rates have remained stable for several seasons, while the cost of maintaining strong biosecurity readiness and response has increased, clearly demonstrated with five biosecurity responses in the last two years. The proposed change is about maintaining the level of protection growers rely on today. The proposed biosecurity levy increase is 0.2c, bringing the levy for the 2027-28 financial year to 1c per tray (the Pathway Management Plan levy will remain unchanged at 0.6c per tray). Even with the increase, the impact at an individual grower level is expected to remain small, while collectively it ensures we can respond quickly and effectively to threats. A fruit fly detection in Te Puke could cost up to $700 million in lost market access - making robust biosecurity critical. You’ll find opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback ahead of the AGM on our dedicated web page, with full details of the proposal, including what your levy delivers, why the change is needed, and why continued biosecurity protection is important. KVH will also be out in the regions over the coming weeks to talk through the proposal and answer questions - we encourage you to come along to the presentations, hosted by Chief Executive Leanne Stewart and look forward to seeing you to discuss the proposal. Look out for an email from KVH too, with reminder details of the meeting nearest to you. The feedback you provide will directly shape what is put forward for voting at the AGM and we look forward to discussing it with you.
Read more17/06/2026
KVH has been at post-harvest winter events engaging with growers and distributing a winter flyer with advice for biosecurity risk management over the coming months. The flyer can be downloaded here and main topics covered include: unusual symptom reports this season,plant movement protocols and traceability requirements,use of wound protectants and sanitisers, yellow-legged hornet and brown marmorated stink bug updates.
Read more17/06/2026
Last week, the 2026 Gisborne Young Grower of the Year competition showcased the talent and capability of the region’s emerging horticulture leaders through a series of practical and theoretical challenges.There were several wide-ranging competition modules included, as well as biosecurity, with technical knowledge and practical problem-solving skills tested across real-world horticulture scenarios.Paul Goodlet from Thompson’s Horticulture was named winner of the biosecurity section.The day concluded with a gala dinner and the announcement of James Torrie from Wi Pere Trust (pictured during his biosecurity round) as the 2026 Gisborne Young Grower of the Year winner. Image: KVH regional coordinator Scott Wilson and competition winner James Torrie.
Read more17/06/2026
Grafting is a critical time for biosecurity. Whether you’re doing a few plants or a full block, moving plant material is the highest-risk way of pathogen spread - including new biosecurity threats that may have recently arrived that we are not yet aware of. Choose clean budwood KVH’s budwood certification scheme (KPCS) sets the minimum standard, but aim higher where you can: Use budwood from your own orchard first. Otherwise, source from a KVH-certified supplier. Always select from the cleanest blocks, well away from any symptomatic vines. KPCS basics If supplying budwood, you must be registered with KVH and follow KPCS requirements, including: Tagging and avoiding symptomatic vines. No use of prunings or material from the ground. No collection from vines with disease symptoms (including Psa). Copper applied within four weeks before collection. Clean tools: lower risk Sanitise tools before entering the orchard. Clean regularly (at least between rows and at breaks). Use effective, recommended sanitisers. Movement rules No movement from Psa positive to Not Detected orchards. Limited movement within the same ownership (up to 1000 plants/year). All other movements may require KVH approval. All budwood distributors (including pack-houses and grafters) must register annually with KVH. For guidance, contact [email protected].
Read more08/06/2026
The KVH winter field days flyer is available for download here.
Read more04/06/2026
We look forward to seeing you at Mystery Creek next week. We’ll be in the Zespri stand at Site F49 (our usual spot) connecting with growers and taking part in midday presentations each day. Gates are open - and we’re on-site - daily from Wednesday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Fieldays website.
Read more04/06/2026
As winter falls, the figures are in for the 2025-26 summer season (December to February), revealing another busy summer for biosecurity officers patrolling New Zealand’s international airports. Passenger volumes exceeded last summer’s levels, reaching higher than pre-pandemic levels for some airports. Despite this increase, biosecurity processing ran smoothly with improvements such as the continued use of express risk assessment lanes in Auckland, additional officers, and expanded detector dog teams, ensuring a positive arrival experience for travellers while continuing to protect New Zealand’s borders. Summer number for 2025-26: Air passenger arrivals: 2.05mAirport with highest number of arrivals: Auckland with 1.47m Passengers with seized goods (declared): 15.6k Passengers with seized goods (undeclared): 3.4k Passengers fined: 2767 Passengers warned 296Busiest day nationwide: 21 December with 27,849 arrivals
Read more04/06/2026
Biosecurity has again been ranked the number one priority for agribusiness leaders, holding its top spot for the 16th consecutive year – and achieving its highest score since 2018. The 2026 Agribusiness Agenda goes further than previous years, positioning biosecurity as a “foundational pillar of sector resilience”. Recent responses to incursions such as avian influenza and the Yellow-legged hornet show what can be achieved through strong collaboration between industry and government. However, the report warns against overconfidence. Biosecurity risks are increasing and changing, driven by factors like climate change and global connectivity. At the same time, many export sectors rely on monocultures - increasing the potential impact of a single incursion. A key message this year is the need to move from relying on past responses to actively preparing for future threats, including targeting effort based on real risk (not a one-size-fits-all approach); using data and analytics to guide decisions; and ensuring systems evolve with changing threats. For the kiwifruit industry, the report themes are a real reminder that biosecurity is central to long-term resilience, requiring effort and commitment from all. KVH’s work, from preparedness and surveillance to practical grower guidance, directly supports the direction set out in this year’s Agenda. View the biosecurity page from the report here, or see the full report on the KPMG website here.
Read moreIn October 2020, KVH and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) signed an agreement to continue to work together to manage this pest plant over the next 10 years. Under the new agreement, KVH will manage the administration involved in the running of the programme while also contributing $150,000 annually towards control costs and surveillance costs. BOPRC will contribute $100,000 per annum and support KVH in gathering landowner contributions.
KVH has also partnered with Zespri and the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre. Through their significant contributions, the programme has been able to expand and control wild kiwifruit infestations previously left unchecked.
If you know the location of any unrecorded wild kiwifruit infestations, contact your local regional council or unitary authority with details so the infestation can be assessed and programmed for control.
Why control the wild population? The reason wild kiwifruit vines are a biosecurity risk to New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry is that they act as a vector for Psa and other kiwifruit pests and diseases. The wild population can act as a reservoir for biosecurity threats, undermining eradication, and control efforts on commercially productive vines.
They are also a threat to our environment. Wild kiwifruit vines are vigorous climbers, and if left uncontrolled, it can form dense heavy blankets of vines that strangle trees, causing them to die or collapse. Vines can also smother forestry plantations and New Zealand’s native bush.
GROWERS
Remove unpicked fruit from vines and mulch as soon as possible. This prevents mass feeding by birds and allows the fruit to compost as quickly as possible.
POST-HARVEST OPERATORS
Cover bins of reject fruit to prevent birds feeding on ripening fruit.
FARMERS
Cover stockpiles of fruit with shade cloth, windbreak netting or something similar to prevent birds from getting to any fruit. Feed out only what will be eaten by stock at one time to prevent birds from eating leftovers.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Be very careful with the disposal of kiwifruit, particularly while out in the bush.
KILL WILD KIWIFRUIT PLANTS
Cut vines at ground level. Apply Vigilant Gel® herbicide to the top and sides of the cut stump or any exposed roots. Ring-bark stumps or large roots with a machete or pruning saw to assist absorption of the herbicide gel. Carefully trace all vine stems to find where they may have taken root. Cut any rooted stems at ground level and apply Vigilant Gel®. Never apply Vigilant Gel to stumps within a kiwifruit orchard. For controlling kiwifruit stumps within an orchard, please refer here.
KVH investigates reports of unusual symptoms to identify and manage any biosecurity risks.
17 Jun 2026
Pick up one of KVH’s new luggage tags and take biosecurity on the road with you. Durable, eye-catching, and proudly representing our industry, they’re an effortless way to help spread the message wherever your travels take you. Perfect for suitcases, backpacks, road kits, and even laptop bags, grab yours at upcoming KVH events – while stocks last!
Read more17 Jun 2026
Heading into the end of harvest, growers are reminded that unpicked kiwifruit should be removed from vines by 1 July to help limit wild kiwifruit plants establishing in nearby areas, especially around native bush, or forestry. Fruit left on vines to ripen over the winter months provides a food source for birds (such as the wax-eye/tauhou) that then spread seed into the wild which readily germinates in New Zealand’s environment. Unpicked fruit needs to be dropped to the ground and mulched to prevent this from happening.
Read more17 Jun 2026
The KVH Board is calling for nominations for a grower director for a term of three years. Grower members will be asked to vote for their preferred nominees, and the successful candidates will be announced following this year’s annual meeting. Nominations close Friday 3 July and the AGM takes place at 9am, Thursday 20 August, at Mercury Baypark.
Read more