Seen something unusual? MAKE A REPORT
Seen something unusual? MAKE A REPORT
KVH investigates reports of unusual symptoms to identify and manage any biosecurity risks.
13 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 more13 Feb 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 Feb 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.
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