News related to Pests and Diseases
- Areas designated for Undaria farming - 19 January 2012
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is announcing three small geographical areas where farming of Undaria (Undaria pinnatifida) will be allowed, creating a new commercial opportunity.
- MAF acts to control two pest plants found in West Auckland wetland - 23 December 2011
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is taking immediate action to eradicate two aggressive aquatic pest plants found in a West Auckland wetland this week.
- Spreading the word, not the disease - 24 November 2011
The fight to stop the spread of kauri dieback disease has been strengthened with a new website and the appointment of a dedicated Relationship Manager for the Kauri Dieback Programme.
- Second find of bacterial fish disease - 17 October 2011
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) today confirms that a single, juvenile trout from the Taieri River in Otago has tested positive for the same bacterial disease that is causing illness and death in kanakana (lamprey) in Southland.
- Disease affecting Southland kanakana/lamprey - 7 October 2011
Kanakana, or lamprey, in the Mataura River have become affected by a bacterial disease.
- Action needed to protect kauri forests - 30 September 2011
Recent survey work has confirmed the importance of removing soil from footwear and equipment before and after entering areas with kauri trees.
- Fruit fly intercepted at border - 21 May 2010
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has successfully intercepted live cucumber fruit fly eggs (Bactrocera cucumis) on a consignment of produce from Australia this week.
- Hadda beetle established in Auckland - 25 March 2010
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) announced today that eradication of the Hadda beetle would not be feasible. Investigations have found the beetle is widespread across central Auckland and the maturity of the beetles indicates that it may have been in New Zealand since 2006.
- New facility opens at the National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Disease - Wallaceville - 2 March 2010
New Zealand's ability to manage a major disease outbreak was strengthened today with the opening of a new multipurpose facility at the National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Disease (NCBID) at Wallaceville, Upper Hutt.
- Hadda Beetle find in Auckland - 1 February 2010
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand has identified the presence of Hadda beetles in Dove -Myer Robinson Park, along Tamaki Drive and the Auckland Domain in Auckland.
- Joint response to tackle kauri dieback - 26 November 2008
Kauri dieback (Phytophthora taxon Agathis or PTA), the newly-identified disease attacking kauri trees, is being addressed by six agencies working together as one response team.
- No further evidence of Asian Tiger Mosquito found - 24 May 2007
The single Asian Tiger Mosquito trapped at the Ports of Auckland near Quay Street in March was not evidence of an established population of the potentially disease-carrying insects, and no more have been detected despite extensive efforts, Biosecurity New Zealand announced today.
- Mosquito identification confirmed as Asian Tiger Mosquito - 6 March 2007
A mosquito caught in a trap at Shed 8 at the Ports of Auckland on March 1 has been confirmed as an Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and the Ministry of Health's initial response handed over to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand.
- Low pathogenic virus no cause for concern - 17 September 2008
A surveillance programme researching the presence of avian influenza in New Zealand has found low pathogenic (LPAI) H5N1 virus in two samples taken from mallard ducks. Tests indicate that the virus is closely related to viruses found in the past and has been here for some time.
- No highly pathogenic avian influenza detected in first round of national surveillance - 11 October 2006
Biosecurity New Zealand has completed its first survey of commercial broiler and layer farms throughout the country and found no highly pathogenic avian influenza.
- Surveillance confirms commercial poultry meat free from avian influenza - 20 July 2006
Biosecurity New Zealand has completed the first survey of broiler farms throughout New Zealand and found no notifiable avian influenza virus in the farms tested.
- NZ Poultry Meat Industry free of Avian Influenza - 19 July 2006
The completion of a comprehensive testing programme for notifiable Avian Influenza has clearly demonstrated that the New Zealand Poultry meat industry is free of notifiable avian influenza, Poultry Industry Association executive director Michael Brooks said today.
- OIE recognises New Zealand BSE risk as negligible - 1 June 2007
New Zealand has been granted neglible BSE risk disease status at the 75th General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), held in Paris last week.
- Community help needed to find and weed out pest plant - 22 July 2011
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and the Waikato Regional Council are calling on Hamilton residents to help them locate any further infestations of an invasive weed pest recently located on two adjacent residential properties.
- Deformed wing bee virus identified in Waikato and Northland - 15 March 2007
A virus causing deformed wings (DWV) in bees has been identified on two properties in Northland and Waikato, Biosecurity New Zealand confirmed today.
- Plastic wrapping Bluff Port protects Fiordland - 4 July 2007
Divers are braving the chilly waters of Bluff Port this week, wrapping wharf piles and structures in plastic sheeting as part of a programme to protect the precious Fiordland marine environment from invasive marine pests.
- Biosecurity New Zealand and aquaculture industry collaborate to combat pest - 14 August 2006
Biosecurity New Zealand and a combined Marlborough-based industry and council group will be working together to help fight the marine pest Didemnum vexillum.
- Didymo confirmed in Waimakariri River - 10 February 2010
Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) has been confirmed in the Waimakariri River, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) announced today.
- Didymo update - 1 May 2008
In response to recent reports circulating about the apparent 'disappearance' of didymo, particularly in the Waitaki, Hakataramea and Maerewhenua Rivers, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand can confirm that didymo is still present in the those rivers and people must check, clean and dry their equipment before moving to other waterways.
- Didymo found in the Wairau River - 19 March 2008
Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) has been confirmed in the Wairau River near Dip Flat, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) announced today.
- Didymo found in Rangitata Diversion Race - 5 December 2007
The invasive algae didymo has been confirmed in the Rangitata Diversion Race, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand announced today.
- Didymo confirmed in upper Rangitata River and Rakaia River - 11 December 2007
The invasive alga didymo has been detected at two sites upstream of the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) intake on the Rangitata River.
- Anglers reminded to 'check, clean, dry' - 25 September 2007
With the fishing season due to start next Monday (October 1), MAF Biosecurity New Zealand and Fish & Game are reminding anglers, and other recreational freshwater users of the importance of cleaning their equipment between waterways.
- Didymo found in upper Clarence River - 11 October 2007
The invasive alga didymo has been detected in the upper Clarence River, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand announced today.
- Simulation to test plans for North Island didymo detection - 29 May 2007
Biosecurity New Zealand will run a didymo North Island find simulation exercise based in Taupo on Thursday May 31.