Last Sunday the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) confirmed two weeks of trapping, fruit sampling and testing had passed without any further Tau flies being found and the movement restrictions on fruit and vegetables in the controlled area were subsequently lifted.

While the response operation is now over and New Zealand is officially Tau fly-free, MPI’s routine checks for fruit flies will continue with its nationwide network of 7,600 fruit fly surveillance traps.

Summer is high-risk season for fruit flies and other pests coming into New Zealand, so growers and residents are reminded to be vigilant. Report anything of concern, particularly insects or larvae in fruit, to MPI’s pest and disease hotline – 0800 80 99 66.

• Click here for more information on the MPI website.