Tuesday, 13 January 2026 12:23

Stinging response

Written by  The Hound

OPINION: MPI's response to the yellow-legged hornet has received a mixed report card from New Zealand Beekeeping Inc (NZBI), with praise for the Ministry's expansion of response funding and front-line efforts in Auckland, but a sting in the tail - criticising MPI for not focusing enough on regions outside the big smoke.

By New Year's Eve, MPI and Biosecurity NZ had successfully located and destroyed 39 queen hornets, 26 of which had been nest building, according to Apiarist's Advocate, thanks to intensive trapping and monitoring.

But NZBI says MPI needs to "shed the lone hero persona" and "must expect and receive full-throated community and industry support".

NZBI says it just wants MPI to think more long-term and more nationwide about the response to the yellow peril.


 Read More:


 

More like this

Editorial: Happy days

OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.

Featured

Global Trade Uncertainty 'Likely To Remain'

Global trade has been thrown into another bout of uncertainty following the overnight ruling by US Supreme Court, striking down President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional tariffs on trading partners.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Bulldust!

OPINION: Here w go: the election date is set for November 7 and the politicians are out of the gate…

No good news?

OPINION: ECan data was released a few days ago showing Canterbury farmers have made “giant strides on environmental performance”.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter