Queensland Fruit Fly Detected in Auckland, Biosecurity Response Underway

Single Queensland Fruit Fly Found in Mt Roskill

Auckland, New Zealand – Biosecurity New Zealand, part of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), has launched a significant biosecurity operation in Mt Roskill, Auckland, after a single male Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) was detected in a surveillance trap on January 7, 2026. The discovery was made as part of the national surveillance programme, which deploys nearly 8,000 traps across the country.

Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North, Mike Inglis, stated that while the capture of a single male fly does not signify an outbreak, a swift and robust response is crucial to prevent any potential establishment of the pest.

Controlled Area Notice Implemented

Effective January 8, 2026, a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) has been put in place across parts of Mt Roskill, restricting the movement of certain fruits and vegetables. This measure is a critical precaution to contain any possible spread of the fruit fly. The controlled area is divided into two zones with varying restrictions:

• Zone A: A 200-metre radius encompassing approximately 262 properties. Residents in this zone are prohibited from moving any whole fresh fruit and vegetables, except for leafy or soil-free root vegetables, outside the area.
• Zone B: A wider 1,500-metre radius covering around 8,300 properties. Fruit and vegetables grown within Zone B cannot be moved out of the controlled area.

Biosecurity New Zealand staff are actively installing additional traps, with around 400 new traps being placed within the 1,500-metre area. Special disposal bins for fruit and vegetable waste have also been provided to residents within the controlled zones, and a mobile laboratory is on-site to inspect collected fruit for any signs of an established breeding population.

Threat to New Zealand's Horticulture Sector

The Queensland fruit fly poses no risk to human health, but its establishment in New Zealand could have severe consequences for the country's horticulture industry and export markets. The pest is known to damage a wide range of fruit and vegetables, with estimates suggesting it could attack up to 80% of New Zealand's horticulture crops. Horticulture New Zealand CEO, Kate Scott, expressed concern, stating that an outbreak could lead to significant economic costs and restrictions on exports to key markets.

New Zealand has a strong track record of successfully eradicating fruit fly incursions, with 13 or 14 previous incidents in Auckland and Northland since 1996 having been successfully contained. The current restrictions are expected to remain in place for at least four weeks as surveillance and eradication efforts continue. Biosecurity New Zealand is urging community cooperation to ensure the pest does not become established.