James Blair Named 2026 Young Grower National Champion
James Blair, an agronomist for AS Wilcox and the Pukekohe regional champion, has won the 2026 Young Grower national title.
The fruit fly was detected in a suburban backyard in Birkdale during routine surveillance.
The discovery follows an end to increased surveillance in Papatoetoe after an Oriental fruit fly was found in the suburb in early January.
Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north, Mike Inglis says it’s too early to tell whether the two finds are linked.
“Our lab will do further DNA analysis of the fly over the coming days,” Inglis says.
He says trapping and inspection in the area will be increased.
“The capture of a single male does not mean we have an outbreak,” Inglis says. “However, while we do our checks for any other fruit flies, we need community help to prevent any possible spread.”
“As a precautionary measure, we’ll be putting legal restrictions in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fruit fly was found,” he adds.
Meanwhile, HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott says her organisation fully supports the increased trapping, inspection efforts, and the legal restrictions on the area.
“Protecting New Zealand’s horticulture sector from biosecurity threats like the fruit fly is critical to our economy and our reputation for producing high-quality fruit and vegetables,” says Scott.
