Biosecurity New Zealand has placed legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe following yesterday’s detection of a single male Oriental fruit fly, says Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north Mike Inglis.
The Oriental fruit fly was found in one of Biosecurity New Zealand’s national surveillance traps placed in fruit trees in residential back yards. No other fruit flies have been found in traps in the area.
"Since 1996, we have successfully eradicated 15 fruit fly incursions in Auckland and Northland, with strong support from the community," says Mr Inglis.
"This means we have detailed operational plans to guide our work.
"We’re calling on the community’s help again with this latest find."
Biosecurity New Zealand staff are busy in the Papatoetoe area today laying more traps in addition to the network of national surveillance traps already in the area and giving out information to residents.
"There are now legal controls in place that prohibit the movement of certain whole fruit and vegetables out of a specified controlled area around where the fruit fly was found."
The controlled area has 2 zones – A and B:
- Zone A is a 200-metre area, including 501 properties.
- Zone B covers a 1,500-metre area, including 9,481 properties.
Zone A
Whole fresh fruit and vegetables, except for leafy vegetables and soil free root vegetables, cannot be moved outside Zone A.
This applies to all produce, regardless of whether it was bought or grown.
Zone B
Whole fruit and vegetables grown within Zone B cannot be moved out of the controlled area.
Signs will notify people of the restrictions and mark the controlled area boundaries.
A detailed map of the controlled area, and a full description of the boundaries and rules in place, can be found on our website.
Oriental fruit fly detection in 2026 in Papatoetoe, Auckland
"These legal controls are an important precaution while we investigate whether any further fruit flies are present in the area," Mr Inglis says.
"As our climate warms, it is important we remain alert to these risks. That’s why we have a robust surveillance and trapping system in place that allow us to act quickly and effectively when we need to. Our work in Papatoetoe, and the support of the local community, are a good example of our biosecurity system in action.
"We are working closely with our Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners in the horticultural industry.
"Following these legal controls will help protect our horticultural industries, home gardens, and our New Zealand way of life. We thank the community for its support."
To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66
