Oriental fruit fly in Papatoetoe

The story so far

A single male Oriental fruit fly was found in a surveillance trap in a Papatoetoe, South Auckland backyard, reported on 3 January 2025.^{3 Jan 2025} Biosecurity New Zealand launched an operation with increased testing and trapping, and imposed legal restrictions on moving fruit and vegetables out of a specified Papatoetoe area to protect the horticulture industry.^{3, 4 Jan 2025} The public has been urged to report any further sightings.^{4 Jan 2025} By 5 January, more than 100 extra traps had been set up across South Auckland.^{5 Jan 2025} No additional flies had been located through the increased searches, and the restrictions remain in place.^{5 Jan 2025}

Latest

As of 5 January, over 100 extra traps were operating in South Auckland and no further flies had been found.^{5 Jan 2025} The movement restrictions on fruit and vegetables remain in place.^{5 Jan 2025}

Key moments

1. 3 Jan 2025Single male Oriental fruit fly found in Papatoetoe backyard trap.
2. 4 Jan 2025Legal movement controls placed on fruit and vegetables leaving specified Papatoetoe area.
3. 5 Jan 2025Over 100 extra traps set up; no further flies located so far.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.