Category: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Significant work continues in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe, with no signs of any further Oriental fruit flies to date, says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north.

“We have placed more than 100 extra traps in the area, and checking of all of them has not found any signs of other fruit flies so far,” Mr Inglis says.

“Specialist staff in our mobile laboratory, which is set up at our response base in Auckland, have been hard at work examining fruit and vegetables collected from within Zones A and B. They’ve processed more than 100kg of fruit so far and we’ve found no larvae or eggs, which helps to provide assurance that we are not dealing with a breeding population.”

Mr Inglis thanked the community for its efforts and sector groups for their support.

“We’ve surveyed more than 500 local properties and the fruit grown on them, and we’ll continue to talk to residents, local businesses, and groups, including attending local markets over the weekend to provide information to people. The response from the community is greatly appreciated.

“We have more than 150 people working on the response and a good system in place for how to do things thanks to the 12 previous times we have found and successfully eradicated different fruit flies in New Zealand,” Mr Inglis says.

For more information on the fruit fly

For Media enquiries, call 029 894 0328

To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

The biosecurity response to the find of a single male Oriental fruit fly in Papatoetoe is making good progress with extra traps in place, stepped up checks, legal controls introduced, special bins delivered for fruit and vegetable waste disposal, and a mobile lab in place, says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand regional Commissioner North.

“Our team have been back out today as we continue to ramp up our response efforts to ensure there are no other fruit flies around,” says Mr Inglis.

“There were already 187 surveillance traps in the Papatoetoe/Mangere area, and by the end of today an extra 105 will be in place within a 1,500 metre area of the original find.

“While we look for more flies, yesterday, we introduced legal controls to restrict the movement of fruit and vegetables around the location where the Oriental fruit fly was found to stop the spread of any other Oriental fruit flies that may be out there.

“We’ve been delivering information to residential letterboxes about the two zones affected by restrictions and people can also find full information about what they need to do here:

Oriental fruit fly detection

“People will notice biosecurity signage up in the area and we delivered special disposal bins for fruit and vegetable waste this morning.”

Mr Inglis says instead of putting waste in rubbish bins to be disposed of normally, residents in the two zones are being asked to put fruit and vegetable waste into the special response bins for Biosecurity New Zealand to dispose of securely.

Every household in Zone A will have a fruit and vegetable disposal bin, and in Zone B, there will be about 34 bins placed around the edge of the zone, primarily on major transport routes and a further 75 placed within the Zone.

“The bins in Zone A will be cleared daily initially, then as required. There will be no need to put them out on the street as they will be serviced, rebagged and insecticide applied in bag and inside lid where they are currently placed. If residents have any issues with the bin or need them  clearing earlier, they can call us on 0800 80 99 66.

“I want to thank the local community for their positive response to our team so far. In the previous 12 occasions we’ve found fruit flies in New Zealand we’ve successfully eradicated them with the help of our horticulture sector partners and local communities, so it’s important everyone plays their part.  At present, the restrictions will be in place for a fortnight.”

Mr Inglis said a mobile laboratory to examine fruit and vegetables collected from around Papatoetoe for Oriental fruit fly larvae and eggs had been set up.

“The mobile lab work and checking of fruit helps to provide us with an extra layer of certainty that there are no other fruit flies out there,” Mr Inglis says.

To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

We will send out a further update if we receive significant new information.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand has now placed legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in Papatoetoe, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.

The move follows the detection of a single male Oriental fruit fly in a surveillance trap in the area. To date, no other flies have been found in surveillance traps.

“We need community help to make sure we successfully find and eradicate any further fruit flies that may be present in the area,” says Mr Inglis.

Biosecurity New Zealand staff are busy in the area today laying more traps and giving out information to households.

“There have been 12 previous fruit fly incursions in New Zealand, which we have successfully eradicated so we have a very strong and detailed operational plans to guide our work.”

“The rules now in place prohibit moving fruit and vegetables out of a specified controlled area around where the fruit fly was found.

“You can find a detailed map of the controlled area and a full description of the boundaries and rules in place here:

Controlled Area Notice (CAN) [PDF, 485 KB]

The controlled area has two zones – A and B. Zone A is a 200m zone, with a 198 properties. Zone B covers a 1500 metre area, with 5,470 properties.

Zone A

No whole fresh fruit and vegetables, except for leafy vegetables and soil free root vegetables, can be moved outside Zone A. This applies to all produce, regardless of whether it was bought or grown.

Zone B

All fruit and vegetables grown within Zone B cannot be moved out of the controlled area.

“These legal controls are an important precaution while we investigate whether there are any further fruit flies present in the area,” Mr Inglis says.

“Should there be any more flies out there, this will help prevent their spread out of the area.

“We are working closely with our Government Industry Agreement partners in the horticultural industry. We all appreciate this will be inconvenient for the many people living in and around the controlled area, but following these directions is a critical precaution to protect our horticultural industries, home gardens and our New Zealand way of life.

“It is likely the restrictions will be in place for at least two weeks.”

Signs will also be put in place notifying people of the restrictions and marking the controlled area boundaries.

To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

Detail about the controlled area

Zone A

No fruit and vegetables (other than leafy or soil free root vegetables and cooked, processed, preserved, dried, frozen and canned fruit) can be moved from Zone A of the controlled area.

Compost and green waste from gardens also cannot be moved out of this zone.

Residents in Zone A are asked to avoid composting fruit and vegetables. To dispose of fruit and vegetable waste, use a sink waste disposal unit if available, or bins provided by Biosecurity New Zealand. These bins will be delivered shortly, and residents advised of their location.

Zone B

No fruit and vegetables grown in the Zone B can be moved out of the controlled area. You are free to move commercially purchased fruit and vegetables (e.g. fruit and vegetables brought at the supermarket) out of the area. Home grown produce waste and garden waste needs to be disposed of in Biosecurity New Zealand bins.

For more information on the fruit fly

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A biosecurity operation is under way and extra field teams are today in Papatoetoe, Auckland, after the find of a single male Oriental fruit fly in a surveillance trap in a suburban backyard, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis. 

“Checks of the other 187 traps in the Papatoetoe/Mangere area did not find any fruit flies in them,” says Mr Inglis. “However, our previous experience with the successful eradication of several different types of fruit fly is that we might find other insects, so it is important we move quickly, look for any others and eradicate them. 

“We will be ramping up trapping and testing, with daily checks in a 200-metre zone from the original find and three daily testing in a second zone out to 1500m,” Mr Inglis says.

“There have been 12 incursions of different fruit fly in Auckland and Northland since 1996 and all have been successfully eradicated thanks to the work of Biosecurity New Zealand, our horticulture partners, and local communities who have stepped up to help.” 

Mr Inglis says the latest find demonstrates the benefit and effectiveness of MPI’s lure-based surveillance trapping network and the biosecurity system. 

“Our trapping network involves some 7,878 traps set nationwide, and these are checked regularly.  

“By setting traps for these pest insects, we are able to find them early, know exactly where the problem is, and respond quickly and effectively.”

Mr Inglis says the fruit fly poses no human health risk, but there would be an economic cost to the horticulture industry if it were allowed to establish here. 

“The capture of a single male does not mean we have an outbreak. However, while we do our checks for any other fruit flies, we need community help to prevent any possible spread.

“As a precautionary measure, we’ll be putting legal restrictions in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fruit fly was found.

Map of affected area [PDF, 424 KB]

“Instructions about these controls and the exact area affected will be issued by midday Sunday once we have completed an initial investigation.  In the meantime, we ask that people who live and work in the suburb not take any whole fresh fruit and vegetables out of your property.”

Mr Inglis says biosecurity staff will be out tomorrow providing people with information.

“You may notice increased activity in the neighbourhood as we go about inspections and trapping. Our field officers may ask to look at fruit trees on your property. They will always show you a form of official identification and will only enter your property with your permission.”

In addition to the field work, Biosecurity New Zealand is working closely with international trading partners and Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners in the horticultural industry to minimise the risk to New Zealand growers and exporters.

Mr Inglis says Biosecurity New Zealand has among the strictest controls in the world for the importation of fruit and checks at the border. The most likely way that fruit flies can arrive in New Zealand is on fresh fruit and vegetables.

For Media enquiries, call 029 894 0328

To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

Background

The Oriental fruit fly is native to Asia but has now spread to many warmer countries, especially as the climate warms. Adult flies lay eggs into fruit. The young stages (maggots) feed inside the fruit, causing it to rot and become unmarketable.

The Oriental fruit fly maggots can feed on 300 different fruit and vegetables. The fly’s favourite hosts are apple, guava, mango, peach, and pear.

How to identify the fly

Adult flies:

• are a little larger than a housefly (6mm to 8mm long)
• have a dark “T” shaped marking on the abdomen (the part behind the waist)
• usually have a bright yellow and orange abdomen (but can vary)
• have clear wings.

The female fly has a pointed “sting” to lay eggs inside fruit (but she can’t sting or bite people). The male fruit fly is a similar size but is reddish-brown.

If you think you’ve found the fruit fly

For further information on the oriental fruit fly detection

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Farms linked to Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove site, which tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H7N6) on 1 December 2024, have been confirmed as free of the virus after testing on thousands of samples at the end of the full incubation period for the disease, says the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). 

And there are no signs of the disease anywhere else, providing confidence that HPAI has been restricted to one property, MPI’s chief veterinary officer Mary van Andel says.

“On Sunday, we took about 4,300 samples from 36 flocks across 5 farms linked to Mainland’s Hillgrove layer property, where HPAI H7N6 was confirmed earlier this month, to coincide with the end of the full incubation period for the virus and none returned positive results.

“It is a significant number of tests and gives us confidence that this virus has been contained to just the one property and that we are on track to stamp out this disease.”

Dr van Andel says the Hillgrove site remains under a strict biosecurity lockdown as it undergoes cleaning and decontamination.

“The response effort will continue into the New Year with work to clean and decontaminate the Hillgrove site taking place over a number of weeks. It needs to be done carefully to ensure all traces of the virus have been removed.

“We will work with Mainland Poultry regarding an appropriate stand-down period for the property once decontamination is complete. MPI is working closely with the affected farmer on the matter of compensation.”

Dr van Andel says the clear incubation period testing will help ongoing discussions with trading partners regarding New Zealand poultry exports and highlights the benefit of responding quickly to the bird flu find alongside industry.

“I want to acknowledge Mainland Poultry for working closely with us to stamp this out.

“MPI has had more than 200 people working on this response and the quick work to depopulate the approximately 200,000 chickens at Hillgrove, was the right decision.

“In total we’ve carried out more than 5,600 tests on samples and bird flu has not been found anywhere other than Hillgrove.

“We’re in close contact with relevant trade partners and to date, we’ve reached agreement with Australia to continue the export of some poultry products, including chicken meat, dried pet food, and dog rolls that meet avian influenza heat treatment requirements, worth more than $50 million.

“It’s important to note that while there are common elements across markets, solutions are agreed with each country,” says Dr van Andel.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Find out more about the strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Fishery officers will be inspecting catch bags and bins all weekend as the blue cod season opens throughout the Marlborough region.

The daily limit per person is 2, with a minimum size of 33cm.

Fisheries New Zealand district manager, Stuart Moore says expect to see a strong visual presence of fishery officers throughout the region.

“Blue cod is a popular fish to catch by locals and visitors. We’ll be at the boat ramps and on the water, checking people’s catch. Following the rules will help keep blue cod sustainable into the future so that everyone can have the chance to put fresh kaimoana on the dinner table. Our advice is to fish for a feed because you don’t want to catch a fine.

When catching blue cod, it’s important to remember that along with the daily limit, they must be landed whole or gutted, unless the fish is eaten immediately aboard a boat. You cannot fillet blue cod and then claim it was the legal size.

Mr Moore says people planning to take blue cod need to understand another important rule.

“If you’re in the area and perhaps staying at a Bach – the most you can have in possession is 2 daily limits and if you intend to take any of that fish home with you – the same landed whole or gutted rule applies and there are no exceptions,” says Stuart Moore.

Download the free NZ Fishing Rule mobile app for all the rules in your area. Once downloaded, it’ll work anywhere, including in areas where you cannot get mobile coverage.

NZ Fishing Rules app

People can also protect our fisheries by reporting any suspicious fishing to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) or poacher@mpi.govt.nz

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Background to this Request for Information

The Government wants to explore partnership opportunities to afforest (plant native or exotic trees) or promote native forest regeneration on Crown-owned land (excluding National Parks) that has low farming value and low conservation value.

This will:

• contribute to climate change targets
• spur economic growth through a thriving forestry and wood processing sector
• improve native biodiversity and water quality.

Media release – 5 December 2024

Government to partner with private sector to plant trees on low-value Crown land – Beehive

Agencies involved 

• Ministry for Primary Industries.
• Land Information New Zealand.
• Department of Conservation.
• Ministry for the Environment.

Have your say

We are opening this Request for Information (RFI) to gauge interest in the proposal and understand what would make afforesting Crown-owned land an attractive and viable opportunity.

We would like to hear your views on:

• opportunities for afforestation
• conditions and contractual arrangements that would enable you to undertake afforestation
• barriers to afforestation and what government could do to help overcome these.

Further details are in the RFI documents. We must get your feedback by 5pm on 28 February 2025.

Request for Information documents

Overview: Partnering to plant trees on Crown-owned land [PDF, 609 KB]

Questions and answers about partnering to plant trees on Crown-owned land [PDF, 614 KB]

Making a submission

Complete our submission template and email it to RFI@mpi.gotv.nz

We must get your feedback by 5pm on 28 February 2025.

Submission template [DOCX, 119 KB]

While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:

Primary Sector Policy
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Next steps after submissions close

We’ll advise interested parties of next steps in 2025.

We intend to progress with any partnership opportunities as soon as practicable. Your responses will help shape the Government’s decisions on possible opportunities and decide next steps as well as informing the commercial strategy moving forwards.

Where partnerships can be progressed under current law they will be taken forward as soon as practicable. In these circumstances, we anticipate that a second round of commercial negotiations on a site-by-site basis with interested parties may take place in 2025.

Where partners are looking for the Government to make changes to existing policy to support partnerships – such as changes to law – this will be subject to further advice from officials and decision-making by Cabinet in 2025. Any proposed changes to legislation would likely be advanced though usual parliamentary processes, including public consultation.

Responses are public information

Your response will be used by the Ministry for Primary Industries, Land Information New Zealand, Department of Conservation, and the Ministry for the Environment for their internal purposes and in advising ministers.

Note that all, part, or a summary of your response to the request for information may be published on this website.

People can also ask for copies of responses under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the response available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your response or contact us, and we will take this into account when deciding whether to release the information. Reasons may include that your response discloses information that would unreasonably prejudice your commercial position or personal information.  Any decision we make to withhold information can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

All information provided will be held by the relevant Government agency in accordance with the Privacy Act.

Disclaimer

This process is not in any way binding, nor is it:

• a consideration of disposal of the land for the purpose of Part 9 of the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998 or any other Claims Settlement Act, or
• for lessees, an application under the Land Act 1948 or the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998, or
• an invitation, tender, or other action under section 17ZG(2)(a) Conservation Act 1987 to make an application for a concession. Your response will not be treated as an application for a concession. 

Participating in this process does not create a contract or any other legal relationship between you and the Crown. There is no obligation on the Crown to accept or advance your response.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is sharing some simple food safety tips for Kiwis to follow as they enjoy good food with whānau and friends over summer.

“We know that half of the foodborne illnesses in New Zealand originate in the home. Following good food safety practices is an important way to keep friends and family from getting sick,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“Most of this can be avoided by taking some simple steps to keep safe, including washing your hands, keeping your prep space clean, taking extra care with handling raw chicken, cooking food thoroughly and keeping it cool if you’re on the go.”

Campylobacter is the most reported cause of foodborne illness in New Zealand with around 6,000 reported cases annually. Rates of illness from Campylobacter can spike over summer, usually associated with preparing and consuming poultry at home.

The great news is that New Zealand’s rates of illness from Campylobacter have reduced significantly since 2006 due to sustained efforts by the poultry industry, the major retailers and better awareness by consumers.

“It’s especially important that food safety is top of mind when you’re cooking for your frail older, pregnant, very young and immune-compromised whānau, as the consequences for them from getting sick from food can be devastating.

“Remember food safety is the key ingredient when preparing food for the holidays, so here are some tips for a safe summer.”

Hot tips for summer food safety success

1. Handwashing is number one

Washing your hands is the first line of defence and one of the best ways to prevent harmful bacteria spreading to your food. 

New Zealand Food Safety’s 2024 Consumer Insights Survey shows that most consumers wash their hands when preparing food, but there is room for improvement, and it is a timely reminder to do this when out and about too. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, handwashing can prevent about 30% of gastrointestinal-related sicknesses, and about 20% of respiratory infections (for example, colds). For immune-compromised people, this reduction in gastrointestinal-related illness is up to 58%.

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them well before handing food. You could use hand sanitiser if you don’t have access to water.

Always wash your hands after handling raw meat and poultry (like chicken and eggs), going to the toilet, or changing nappies, touching pets or animals, gardening, or any other activity that makes your hands unclean.

2. Handle raw chicken safely

Did you know, about half of New Zealand consumers are still washing their chicken before cooking? This can spread bacteria around the kitchen and increases risk of contamination. Instead, we recommend that you pat chicken dry with a paper towel and put the paper towel straight in your rubbish bin.  

Always wash your hands with soap and water (preferably warm) after handling raw chicken. Again, you could use hand sanitiser if you don’t have access to water.

Keep your raw chicken separate from ready-to-eat and fresh foods, using separate chopping boards, plates, and utensils to prepare raw chicken.

Always thoroughly wash preparation surfaces, dishes, and utensils with hot soapy water, then rinse and dry them before using them for other foods.

Use a different plate for raw and cooked chicken.

Don’t let raw chicken or its juices touch ready-to-eat foods, and make sure you cook your chicken thoroughly until juices run clear.

3. Barbeque like a pro

Use separate utensils, chopping boards and plates for raw and cooked meat, and barbecue meat until it is more than 75°C all the way through and thoroughly cooked. If you don’t have a thermometer, turn chicken, pork, and sausages often so they cook evenly, and juices run clear. Mince should be thoroughly cooked right through (until firm and browned) to kill harmful bacteria that could be introduced through processing and/or preparation.

Make sure your barbecue and cooking tools have been cleaned with soap and water before using. Marinate meat in a covered container in the fridge and cook the marinade before pouring over cooked meat.

Keep raw meat and cooked food or ready-to-eat foods (like salads) separate.

4. On the go with food? Chill it

With summer here it’s a good idea to get picnic and travel-ready. Freeze ice packs or bottles of water to ensure you’re sorted to pack a chilly bag or bin.

Store foods like salads, meats, and cheeses in a chilly bin with ice packs until needed. Cover and chill your food until you cook it – and chill any leftovers as soon as possible too. 

Leftovers make for great picnic and camping fare. Just make sure you eat them preferably within 2 days – when in doubt, chuck them out.

If you have long travel times after food shopping or won’t be going home straight away, have a chilly bag or bin with ice packs in your car to transport chilled or frozen foods, and transfer them to the fridge or freezer as soon as you get home.

Find out more about how to stay food safe at home this summer on our website:

Safe food preparation, cooking, and storage at home

For general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

If you’re fishing or planning to drop a line in the ocean during the festive season, the best gift you can give yourself is the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app.

Many New Zealanders live near the coast, and the marine environment is part of our national identity. Thousands of Kiwis go fishing every year – for sport, enjoyment, and to get food for their whānau and families.

“The app has everything you need to know – daily bag limits, minimum legal sizes, any closures or restrictions, and even biotoxin alerts,” says Fisheries New Zealand director of fisheries compliance, Steve Ham.

The NZ Fishing Rules app can be downloaded from wherever you get your apps.

NZ Fishing Rules app

“Fishery officers and honorary fishery officers will be patrolling the coasts, boat ramps, and at sea throughout the summer period to protect our shared fisheries and ensure they’re sustainable into the future.

“As well as catch and size limits, the app displays rules for the kind of gear you’re allowed to use. These rules vary by species and area and do change from time to time, so it’s important to stay up to date.

“Having the app on your phone gives you the peace of mind of having the right information at your fingertips. Once downloaded, the fishing app will also work in areas where you don’t have cell phone coverage. Fishers can also text free to 9889 with the name of the fish species and receive a text back with size limits and daily catch limits,” Steve Ham says.

Along with the fishing rules app, recreational fishers are encouraged to ask their local fishery officer or pop into their local office.

“They’re there to help you. We want your fishing experience to be something to remember for all the right reasons, not because you hooked a fine. By following the rules you’ll also be doing your part in keeping our shared fisheries sustainable so that future generations can also enjoy catching a feed of kaimoana.”

MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24)

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.