Oriental fruit fly: response continues

Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in and out of Papatoetoe will remain in place until about mid-February.

'This is so we can be confident that we are not dealing with a breeding population. The timeframe is based on scientific advice about the life cycle of the Oriental fruit fly,' says Biosecurity New Zealand’s commissioner north, Mike Inglis.  

Click here to see the Controlled Area.  

Read the full media release here. 

Background 

A single male Oriental fruit fly was found in a surveillance trap in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe on 3 January 2025. No others have been found to date.

Stay up to date

Biosecurity New Zealand is providing regular updates. Click here to go to their website for the most up to date information.  

About this pest 

Oriental fruit fly can affect more than 300 hosts including apple, kiwifruit, citrus, and tomatoes. Adult flies lay eggs into fruit. The young stages (maggots) feed inside the fruit, causing it to rot and become unmarketable.

A population of Oriental fruit fly would cause control costs, production losses, and some countries might stop accepting our exported produce.

Trade/export related frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Biosecurity New Zealand has put together some FAQs in response to questions from exporters. Click here to access these.