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13 Feb 25 Biosecurity News

Auckland fruit fly controls lifted

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.
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13 Feb 25 Biosecurity News

New direction for border biosecurity campaign

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.
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13 Feb 25 Grower News

Emergency response training - to support growers in time of need

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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13 Feb 25 Grower News

Fun fact

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.
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13 Feb 25 Company Notices

Meet the team

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!
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13 Feb 25 Biosecurity News

Online reporting form

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.
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