News related to Pests and Diseases
- 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.
- 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 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.
- Central North Island river users reminded to check, clean and dry - 1 November 2007
With the discovery of dead didymo cells in several central North Island rivers yesterday, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) and Central North Island regional partner organisations are reminding anglers and other recreational freshwater users to check, clean and dry their equipment between waterways.
- Didymo detected in two upper South Island rivers - 18 January 2007
Didymo has been detected in two more rivers at the top of the South Island, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand announced today.
- Didymo in Queenstown Bay - 7 February 2007
Didymo has been detected in Queenstown Bay in Lake Wakatipu, Biosecurity New Zealand and the Queenstown Lakes District Council announced today.
- Rangitikei River suspected didymo sample to be analysed - 31 October 2006
Biosecurity New Zealand is awaiting results of a suspect didymo sample being collected from the Rangitikei River this morning.
- Suspect Rangitikei River algal sample not didymo - 2 November 2006
The suspect sample from the Rangitikei River is not didymo, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand announced today.
- 'Check, clean, dry' still best way to control didymo - 24 July 2007
The latest findings from MAF Biosecurity New Zealand's Didymosphenia geminata (didymo) science programme were presented to the Didymo Technical Advisory Group and Long-Term Management partners at a seminar held in Wellington today.
- Monitoring detects Didymo in five rivers - 1 September 2006
Biosecurity New Zealand’s latest 100 high-risk site didymo monitoring survey has been completed with five new detections – all of them in previously affected catchments or in rivers close by.
- Fishermen reminded about didymo precautions for upcoming season. - 29 September 2006
With the fishing season due to start on Sunday (October 1), Biosecurity New Zealand is reminding fishermen and other recreational freshwater users of the importance of cleaning their equipment between waterways.
- No Didymo finds in the North Island - 29 May 2006
A national didymo delimiting survey has been completed with no positive samples for the North Island, Biosecurity New Zealand Surveillance and Response manager David Hayes said today.
- Waitaki catchment didymo update - 2 June 2006
Biosecurity New Zealand has issued the North Otago Irrigation Company an exemption under the Biosecurity Act allowing it to use potentially affected water in its scheme, Biosecurity New Zealand Director Post-Clearance Peter Thomson said today.
- Spread the word, not the algae: Avoid, Dedicate or Decontaminate river gear - 10 August 2005
The appeal comes as BNZ faces a last minute hitch in imposing a controlled area on the rivers, which it had hoped to have in place for the start of the whitebait season on August 15. The controlled area notice is a more formal measure to contain the algae than the public awareness campaign conducted since the algae was first identified last October. It will control access to the area by permit and make it an offence to remove any item from the controlled area without one.
- Algae Management Options Under Review - 18 February 2005
Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) in conjunction with Environment Southland is holding three information meetings this week to explain the latest developments with the algae incursion of Didymosphenia affecting some 200 km of the Waiau and Mararoa Rivers, Biosecurity New Zealand Senior Adviser Christina Vieglais, said today.