Seen something unusual? MAKE A REPORT
Seen something unusual? MAKE A REPORT
There are eight organisms identified as the biggest biosecurity threat to New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
09/11/2026
Through Onside, you can quickly and easily record all mandatory information of plant material movement to satisfy Pathway Management Plan and GAP requirements. All users of the Onside app can use this free functionality - all you need to do is: download Onside from your app store (Apple or Google Play) or opt-in to the biosecurity functionality if you already use Onsidecheck-in to a propertyrecord your plant movement details at anytime while checked-in. You can record source; destination; date; property KPIN; type; and volume. Growers can still keep physical records of plant material movements, but this free digital option has been designed to simplify the process of providing plant movement records as part of a GAP audit.
Read more about Traceability with Onside05/11/2026
Thanks to the Bioeconomy Science Institute’s social media, we saw this enormous yellow-legged hornet nest (image below). Pictured is entomologist Natalie Page during a recent research trip to Jersey in the Channel Islands. Mature yellow-legged hornet nests can grow up to 80cm tall and weigh several kilograms. Natalie was in Jersey, where yellow-legged hornets are established, to lead research into which traps and lures work best at attracting these invasive insects. The findings will help inform our response, which you can read more about on our website here.
Read more about Now THAT'S a hornet's nest!05/11/2026
We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Zespri Grower Roadshows. We’ll be speaking at each location (alongside presentations from Zespri and NZKGI) providing an update on latest yellow-legged hornet activities, high-risk summer season detections, and the latest on the Pathway Plan review currently underway. The roadshows run 23 November – 3 December and will all be held in person, with an option to join the Te Puke event online. Register here.
Read more about November grower roadshows05/11/2026
It’s that time again - the popular KVH ‘unwanted pest’ calendar is heading to print soon, and this year it’s had a fresh new redesign. Coming your way with the December Kiwiflier, the 2027 calendar has a different look and feel while keeping the important biosecurity information growers know and use. It highlights some of the unwanted pests we most need to keep an eye out for, alongside practical reminders about good biosecurity practices, and reporting anything unusual. Keep an eye out for the new-look calendar in your mailbox this December.
Read more about A fresh new look for your 2027 biosecurity calendar05/11/2026
The latest fruit fly and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) risk updates have been published on the KVH website. The updates include the latest detection and surveillance information, including our industry-led activities, and are produced every month. The high-risk season for both threats started in September and there have been no detections to date.
Read more about Stopping our most unwanted05/11/2026
A big thank you to everyone who took part in our recent Emergency Response Management (ERM) training. Bringing industry people together to learn and test our response capability is an important part of ensuring we’re ready when it matters. Across the three-day KVH-hosted programme, participants took part in rural mental health training, a leadership refresher, and a volcanic eruption simulation, putting skills and response processes into practice. The programme forms part of the industry’s KVH-led ERM framework, helping ensure we can respond quickly and effectively during an emergency and support growers. Image: Anna from KVH presenting during one of the ERM training sessions.
Read more about Building our industry’s emergency response readiness05/11/2026
KVH is nearing completion of the first four-year review of the National Kiwifruit Pathway Management Plan (Pathway Plan) since it came into operation in 2022. The review is assessing whether the Pathway Plan remains fit-for-purpose and is identifying practical improvements. What we've done so far The review combined internal assessment and industry engagement, including: Review of implementation, performance measures, compliance, and operational data.Internal workshops covering each objective and rule.An industry-wide survey of growers, contractors, post-harvest operators, nurseries, and other stakeholders. What we've found The review found strong support for the Pathway Plan and confirmed it remains fit-for-purpose. Survey participants rated it highly for effectiveness, clarity, and ease of implementation. Strong compliance, growing uptake of key tools and continued protection of the South Island from Psa-V indicate the Pathway Plan is achieving its objectives. Areas highlighted for improvement include: Better visibility of how biosecurity plans and controls are applied.Stronger traceability, record keeping, and data quality.More consistent assurance and auditing.Clearer guidance and practical digital tools. The focus is on improving implementation, not adding significant new requirements, while keeping controls practical and proportionate to risk. What happens next? KVH is now finalising the report and recommended improvements. Feedback will refine the recommendations before they are presented to the KVH Board, with actions incorporated into future operational planning. Last call for feedback There is still time to share feedback on what is working well, challenges experienced or ways to improve implementation. Please contact us to have your say.
Read more about Pathway Plan review update and last call for feedback05/11/2026
Lincoln University Professor of Plant Biosecurity Philip Hulme has been awarded the 2026 Rutherford Medal for his significant research into invasive species and the risks they pose to New Zealand. Many readers will know of Phil, a leader in biosecurity research and former member of the Zespri Innovation Kiwifruit Biosecurity Advisory Committee. His work to better understand how pests, weeds and diseases establish and spread, and how those risks can be reduced, has important relevance for horticulture. It’s great recognition of the science and expertise that underpins New Zealand’s biosecurity system and helps protect industries like kiwifruit.
Read more about Top honour for biosecurity science05/10/2026
As pollination season gets underway, KVH reminds growers and beekeepers that any movement of beehives across Cook Strait for use in kiwifruit orchards or nurseries requires prior KVH authorisation. The Cook Strait remains an important biosecurity barrier between the North and South Islands. Because the South Island remains free of Psa-V, controls are in place to help prevent the spread of the pathogen through pollination-related activities, including the movement of beehives. Before moving hives across Cook Strait: Contact KVH at least seven days before the proposed movement to obtain authorisation. Where hives have been used on North Island kiwifruit orchards, a minimum 10-day stand-down period is recommended at a North Island location outside kiwifruit growing regions before moving south. Ensure hives, pallets, machinery, vehicles, tools, equipment and footwear are free of kiwifruit plant material and debris and sanitised using a KVH-approved sanitiser. Contractors without a Zespri CAV must complete a Non-CAV Contractor Biosecurity Plan before entering orchards. Growers also have a role to play by confirming where pollination hives are coming from, ensuring biosecurity requirements have been met, and reporting any unusual symptoms in their orchards to KVH immediately. These requirements are part of the Biosecurity (National Kiwifruit Pathway Management Plan) Order 2022, with compliance helping protect the South Island and the wider industry from Psa-V. Non-compliance with plan rules may constitute an offence under the Biosecurity Act 1993.
Read more about Moving beehives across Cook Strait for pollination?05/10/2026
A significant milestone for New Zealand’s biosecurity system was recognised last week when the yellow-legged hornet response received the Innovation Award at the Spirit of Service Awards. The awards recognise initiatives that deliver outstanding outcomes for New Zealand, and the Innovation Award acknowledges the response’s use of advanced technology, large-scale field operations and strong community partnerships. KVH is proud to be part of the response alongside Biosecurity New Zealand. The award is a testament to the collective efforts of everyone involved, including SPS Biota, UK technical experts, local communities, beekeepers, growers, iwi, industry personnel (including teams from APAC, Punchbowl and Trevelyan’s), contractors and response staff who have contributed their expertise, time and commitment throughout the programme.
Read more about National award recognises hornet response05/10/2026
Bird flu (H5N1) has now reached New Zealand, making awareness and preparedness more important than ever. Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital and Te Tira Whakamātaki are hosting a free webinar with experts from the Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation, Health New Zealand and Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Learn about the current response, risks to wildlife, animals and people, what to do if you find a sick or dead bird, and how agencies are preparing. Join the conversation next Thursday 15 October, 1.00pm – 2.00pm. Register now and receive your calendar invite
Read more about Understanding our response to bird flu27/10/2021
Pūkeko can sometimes become a nuisance in kiwifruit orchards, particularly when bird numbers are high. Growers have reported damage from birds entering the canopy and snipping off new shoots in spring, feeding on ripening fruit before harvest, or pulling out and damaging young plants and seedlings. Before taking any action, it's important to confirm that pūkeko are causing the damage. Pūkeko are partially protected and are valued by many New Zealanders. Control can also be challenging where orchards are located near wetlands, damp pasture, waterways, or urban areas that provide ideal habitat. If pūkeko are causing ongoing problems in your orchard, consider the following management options: Use bird-scaring techniques such as occasional bird-scare blasts, pyrotechnics, or other approved deterrents to encourage birds to move away from the orchard. Consider bird repellent products where appropriate. Always follow label instructions and any restrictions relating to timing and application rates. Population control may be possible during the game bird hunting season, provided all Fish & Game regulations and firearm safety requirements are followed. Outside the hunting season, a permit from Fish & Game is required before any control activities can occur. Netting may provide a longer-term solution where pūkeko pressure is persistent and causing significant crop losses. Growers should ensure any management actions comply with relevant wildlife, firearms, and health and safety regulations.
Read more about Managing pūkeko in kiwifruit orchards
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is the kiwifruit industry’s second-most unwanted biosecurity threat after fruit flies; and the risk of it entering New Zealand is considered extreme.
The BMSB is able to hitchhike on inanimate objects such as cars and shipping containers. If it were to enter New Zealand it would have no problem establishing due to New Zealand’s highly suitable climate and abundance of host material. Its entry and establishment would result in significant production impacts to many horticultural industries.
The high risk and potential consequence of BMSB have made it a priority for biosecurity readiness activities for both KVH and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Pest ranking based on the KVH risk matrix
View risk matrixBMSB preparedness
KVH is working with Zespri, MPI and the wider kiwifruit industry to ensure we are all prepared for BMSB, if it were to arrive and establish here. This includes running regular simulation exercises, hosting workshops, and developing joint workplans for how we would manage an incursion and long term response.
Read the BMSB Readiness Plan (A) for information about how the industry is ready for a New Zealand incursion. Read the BMSB Readiness Plan (B) for information about long term management considerations should BMSB establish in New Zealand.
Read the BMSB kiwifruit growers guide to long-term management. The guide outlines all the things growers should do on-orchard and how to do them when managing BMSB long-term.
In August 2018 the New Zealand horticulture industry welcomed the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) decision allowing the release of a tiny Samurai Wasp into New Zealand, if ever there was an incursion of the BMSB. Read the media release here.
KVH and Zespri have recently designed a useful infographic tool for growers. It encourages growers to cast their eye into a possible future where BMSB has arrived in New Zealand and all response/eradication efforts have failed. What long-term management of the bug might look like on-orchard; factors to consider into future planning; and the times of the year each is most appropriate, is summarised in the infographic here.
KVH investigates reports of unusual symptoms to identify and manage any biosecurity risks.
09 Nov 2026
Through Onside, you can quickly and easily record all mandatory information of plant material movement to satisfy Pathway Management Plan and GAP requirements. All users of the Onside app can use this free functionality - all you need to do is: download Onside from your app store (Apple or Google Play) or opt-in to the biosecurity functionality if you already use Onsidecheck-in to a propertyrecord your plant movement details at anytime while checked-in. You can record source; destination; date; property KPIN; type; and volume. Growers can still keep physical records of plant material movements, but this free digital option has been designed to simplify the process of providing plant movement records as part of a GAP audit.
Read more about Traceability with Onside05 Nov 2026
Thanks to the Bioeconomy Science Institute’s social media, we saw this enormous yellow-legged hornet nest (image below). Pictured is entomologist Natalie Page during a recent research trip to Jersey in the Channel Islands. Mature yellow-legged hornet nests can grow up to 80cm tall and weigh several kilograms. Natalie was in Jersey, where yellow-legged hornets are established, to lead research into which traps and lures work best at attracting these invasive insects. The findings will help inform our response, which you can read more about on our website here.
Read more about Now THAT'S a hornet's nest!05 Nov 2026
We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Zespri Grower Roadshows. We’ll be speaking at each location (alongside presentations from Zespri and NZKGI) providing an update on latest yellow-legged hornet activities, high-risk summer season detections, and the latest on the Pathway Plan review currently underway. The roadshows run 23 November – 3 December and will all be held in person, with an option to join the Te Puke event online. Register here.
Read more about November grower roadshows