Seen something unusual? MAKE A REPORT
Seen something unusual? MAKE A REPORT
13/02/2025
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.
Read more30/01/2025
No news is good news regarding the Oriental fruit fly response in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe. There have not been any new finds as response teams continue checking traps, collecting waste from bins in the area for safe disposal, and inspecting fruit through the mobile laboratory. Kiwifruit industry personnel (including KVH, Punchbowl, and APAC) are assisting with fruit collection within the restriction zones, which are expected to be in place until mid-February – a precautionary approach, providing extra confidence as it allows for a full life cycle of the fly. More information about the response is available on our website.
Read more30/01/2025
Moth plant is one of the most problematic weeds of North Island kiwifruit orchards and the pods are beginning to develop - they are currently flowering in most locations. Growers should start the first round of control work now to avoid the need to pull masses of vines and pods out of shelter belts. Seedlings will be establishing beneath shelter belts, ready to climb into trees before flowering and forming their distinctive seed pods. A skilfully used sharp hoe will kill emergent seedlings and is an effective organic control method. Alternatively, glyphosate at one part to 100 parts water is effective on emergent seedlings. Apply under low pressure ensuring no spray drift. Moth plant is poisonous – the milky white sap can cause dermatitis so wear gloves and protective clothing when handling it. Click here for more information about identifying moth plant or contact KVH or your regional council. Image below: Moth plant (pictured in a Cryptomeria shelter belt) poses a threat to New Zealand’s native trees and is unwelcome in kiwifruit orchards.
Read moreThe Cook Strait represents a defendable barrier to the spread of kiwifruit industry pests and pathogens.
This barrier represents a strategic opportunity for the industry to protect growers and ensure areas of clean plant material and fruit supply are maintained in the event of any outbreak affecting either island.
Under the National Kiwifruit Pathway Management Plan (Pathway Plan), there is a specific rule to enable a higher level of risk management for movements between the North and South Islands (and vice versa) relative to movements within the North Island or within the South Island. These risk management practices can be tailored to reflect the level of risk.
Currently, Psa is the specified high-risk organism for the Pathway Plan, and as the South Island remains free of Psa there are specific measures in place to manage this risk.
The rule applies to the movement of all risk items where the destination is an orchard, nursery, or for the movement of items associated with kiwifruit pollination.
Vehicle machinery and equipment movements:
For the movement of vehicles and machinery, KVH must be notified in writing and equipment sanitised for the movement between islands. Inspections will be done by KVH staff in the Bay of Plenty and by KVH Regional Coordinators in other regions. KVH will provide written permission for the movement once inspection has been undertaken to provide suppliers, recipients, and carriers of goods confidence that requirements of the Pathway Plan are being met.
Plant material movements:
For plant material movements, which present the highest risk, the plant material must be free of high-risk organisms or not likely to result in a significant impact to the kiwifruit industry.
For movements from the South Island to the North Island:
KPCS certification for nursery plants, budwood, or pollen fulfil the requirements for movements from the South Island to the North Island and no further quarantine or testing is required.
For movements from the North Island to the South Island:
The presence of Psa in the North Island and absence from the South Island means that movements from Psa positive to non-detected orchards is prohibited. However, KVH has developed a tissue culture pathway to enable the safe movement of clean material into Psa Exclusion and Containment Regions under the NPMP. This will be used to meet the requirements of this rule with approval from a KVH Authorised Person. This tissue culture pathway is a two-year process based on risk management measures from the Actinidia Import Health Standard and involves three stages - laboratory-based tissue culture; greenhouse; and an outdoor containment facility. KVH undertakes audits at each stage of the process. The tissue culture standard is available on the KVH website here.
Currently, while the South Island retains area freedom from Psa, meeting the requirements of this tissue culture standard is the only pathway available for the movement of kiwifruit plant material from the North Island to the South Island. Movement of kiwifruit plants, budwood or pollen by other means is prohibited under the Pathway Plan.
See below a list of movements across the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands, where the final destination is a kiwifruit nursery or orchard (excluding routine movements of KPCS certified plant material suppliers). All movements listed have been risk assessed by KVH and have to meet strict requirements prior to approval being granted.
2023/24 Safe movement of risk items between North and South Islands - updated January 2025 |
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| KVH Permit ID | Purpose of movement | Risk item | Interisland movement | Movement time period | Final destination nursery/orchard | |
| P-01997 | Seed for germinating | Seed | South Island to North Island | 01/04/2023 | 01/04/2024 | Yes |
| P-02024 | Leaf sampling | Vehicle | North Island to South Island & South Island to North Island | 31/07/2023 | 31/07/2024 | Yes |
| P-02119 | Budwood for grafting | Budwood | South Island to North Island | 27/05/2024 | 31/05/2024 | Yes |
| P-02121 | Budwood for grafting | Budwood | South Island to North Island | 30/05/2024 | 30/05/2024 | Yes |
| P-02122 | Budwood for grafting | Budwood | South Island to North Island | 28/05/2024 | 06/06/2024 | Yes |
| P-02125 | Budwood for grafting | Budwood | South Island to North Island | 01/01/2024 | 31/12/2024 | Yes |
| P-02126 | Budwood harvest | Equipment | North Island to South Island | 14/05/2024 | 30/06/2024 | Yes |
| P-02153 | Pollination | Pollen | South Island to North Island | 05/09/2024 | 01/10/2024 | Yes |
| P-02156 | Plant establishment | Plants | North Island to South Island | 25/09/2024 | 25/09/2024 | Yes |
| P-02172 | Pollination | Equipment | North Island to South Island | 24/10/2024 | 1/11/2024 | Yes |
| P-02175 | Pollination | Equipment | North Island to South Island | 30/10/2024 | 4/11/2024 | Yes |
| P-02183 | Equipment for grafting | Equipment | North Island to South Island | 11/11/2024 | 11/11/2024 | Yes |
| KVH Requirements | ||||||
| Notification to KVH is required at least 7 days before any proposed movement and requires KVH approval. All kiwifruit plant material is to be securely packaged and transported using a covered vehicle. All kiwifruit plant material entering a facility for testing and research purposes is to be disposed of first via autoclave. Where the final destination is an orchard the kiwifruit plant material is to be quarantined in an approved facility for the period of time required to establish the movement does not significantly increase risk to the kiwifruit industry. All vehicles, machinery, and equipment is to be free of visible soil and plant material, sanitised and stored and transported in a manner to avoid contamination. |
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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.
Read more