9 Mar 2025

Birkdale fruit and vegetable movement restricted until next month after fruit fly find

10:11 am on 9 March 2025
A fruit fly controlled area has been set up in Papatoetoe, South Auckland.

A fruit fly controlled area has been set up in Papatoetoe, South Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Maia Ingoe

Legal controls banning the movement of fruit and vegetables out of an Auckland suburb will remain in place until next month.

A male oriental fruit fly was found in Birkdale on the North Shore in February, sparking restrictions on produce.

Biosecurity spokesman Mike Inglis said no more of the pests had been found in surveillance traps, which were being regularly checked.

Specialist staff and a mobile field laboratory are cutting up fruit and vegetables and checking for any signs of larvae.

Inglis said the produce restrictions would be in force until 10 April.

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