Biosecurity New Zealand’s Oriental fruit fly response continues in Papatoetoe, Auckland, with no further fruit flies found

3rd March 2026

Four male Oriental fruit flies have so far been found in traps within our surveillance zone.

“Our team hit the ground running over the past several days, installing signs, setting additional traps, distributing fruit disposal bins, and sharing information with the community,” says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north.

“Staff are continuing to visit businesses, schools, and households to provide information and support and today they’ll be focused on those in the newly extended Zone A and B areas.”

There are now 3 areas under Zone A restrictions, 200 metres around each fly detection, with their combined area including approximately 1,400 properties. Zone B has also been extended to account for the location of the new detections and now covers approximately 14,500 properties.

Residents in the 2 new areas subject to Zone A restrictions will receive a bin to securely dispose of their fruit and vegetable waste.

“There is one bin for each household in Zone A and bins are publicly available right across Zone B,” Mr Inglis says.

“An interactive map will be available on our website today showing the location of those Zone B bins, where you can search for your nearest bins based on your address.”

A map of the controlled area and a full description of the new boundaries and movement controls is available at:

Oriental fruit fly detection in 2026 in Papatoetoe, Auckland

A biosecurity operation has been under way in the area since last Wednesday, with legal controls in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables to help prevent any fruit flies spreading beyond the controlled area.

“We have a specialist team working in a mobile laboratory, collecting and inspecting fallen fruit for evidence of Oriental fruit fly,” Mr Inglis says.

“Since the response began, they have sliced and examined a significant amount of this windfall fruit.”

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.

https://www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-releases/response-continues-in-papatoetoe-with-no-further-fruit-flies-found-today