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With spring bringing increased biosecurity risk for some of our most unwanted threats, now is the perfect time to make sure pest identification resources are close at hand. KVH's handy pest ID ring cards feature key pests and diseases of biosecurity concern to the kiwifruit industry and are ideal for orchard staff, contractors and visitors. Order your free set today and we'll send them straight out to you, helping everyone on orchard know what to look for and what to report if something unusual is found. Order now and be prepared for the season ahead.

A group of USA lawmakers is pushing for the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) to be officially recognised as an invasive species, highlighting the significant risk it poses to the country’s agricultural sector. The proposed legislation identifies SLF as a priority biosecurity issue and calls for increased investment in research and management to support long-term control and mitigation. The move reflects growing concern about the pest's impact on agriculture, particularly vineyards. In New York alone, the grape industry could lose more than US$14 million within the first three years of an infestation if the pest isn't effectively controlled. For New Zealand kiwifruit growers, it's a timely reminder of why SLF remains on KVH's Kiwifruit's Most Unwanted list. While it is not present here, its rapid spread and economic impacts overseas highlight the importance of keeping it out. The threat continues to grow internationally, with the first European detection recently reported in Moldova. Although the initial infestation was thought to have been eradicated, isolated populations were later found outside the original area. The increasing political attention and investment in managing SLF overseas reinforces an important biosecurity message: preventing high-risk pests from entering New Zealand is far more effective and affordable than managing them once established.

Image: James Blair, 2026 Young Grower of the Year, during his biosecurity module at the national competition in Cromwell. This year, KVH continued its support of horticulture’s emerging leaders by becoming a silver sponsor of the Young Grower of the Year national final in Cromwell, delivering a biosecurity module at the event. Despite heavy rain on the day, the weather did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the competitors. Regional finalists put their practical skills and knowledge to the test across a broad range of horticultural topics. The KVH module challenged competitors to demonstrate their understanding of how the multiple layers of New Zealand’s biosecurity system work together to protect our primary industries. They were also tested on their ability to recognise key pests and biosecurity risks in the workplace and to apply practical biosecurity measures relevant to their own sites and industries. Hands-on activities covering tool hygiene and pest reporting added an interactive element to the module. Competitors brought plenty of energy, enthusiasm, and lateral thinking to the challenges and KVH congratulates them all on their skills, commitment, and dedication to building careers that will contribute to the future of New Zealand’s growing industries and communities. Congratulations to James Blair, an agronomist with AS Wilcox, who was named the 2026 Young Grower of the Year. Amber Davy, Quality and Field Manager for seed potato supplier Eurogrow and the Canterbury finalist, was runner-up with Amelia Marsden, Nursery Manager at Thomas Brothers Orchard and Nelson regional finalist, placing third. Finalist profiles and competition highlights can be found here.

Image: Biosecurity Business Pledge members touring Queenstown Airport. KVH recently attended the Biosecurity Business Pledge forum in Queenstown, joining government, businesses, community groups and individuals working together to strengthen biosecurity resilience across the region. The day began with a behind-the-scenes tour of Queenstown Airport’s biosecurity operations, including detector dogs and passenger and baggage screening. With around 17 international flights arriving daily from Australia, Queenstown is an important pathway for the movement of people and goods into New Zealand. Maintaining strong biosecurity at these entry points is critical to protecting primary industries. The group also visited areas where wilding pine control and restoration work is underway. Community and commercial efforts are helping remove invasive wilding pines across Queenstown and the Wakatipu Basin, alongside projects aimed at restoring native biodiversity. Central Government funding is also supporting work in this high priority landscape. Over lunch Stuart Anderson, Deputy Director-General at Biosecurity New Zealand, provided a behind-the-scenes insight into New Zealand's frontline biosecurity system. A panel discussion involving local airport and wine industry representatives highlighted an important message: effective biosecurity depends on everyone playing their part. Everyday movements of people, plants, animals and equipment can provide pathways for pest and disease spread, so simple actions and good systems can make a real difference.

Hot off the press at the AGM were printed copies of our new Annual Report. Please email us if you would like a copy sent to you. The booklet details our key activities and achievements over the last 12 months, a year where preparedness was put to the test, and responses were in action. Read the 2025/26 report

Pollination is one of the most important activities in the orchard calendar. Many kiwifruit orchards rely on artificial pollination, as well as pollination by bees, to ensure effective pollination takes place. The movement of pollen and flowers between orchards and regions must be managed to minimise the risk of disease spread and movement to orchards where Psa is not detected, and to the South Island, is strictly prohibited or restricted. All pollen providers and distributors of pollen are required to register with KVH, and growers should only be sourcing pollen from these registered providers. All kiwifruit pollen operators - defined as "every person or entity collecting, milling, selling, distributing and/or artificially applying pollen"- must register with KVH annually via the KVH website. This includes all pollen mill operators (including growers who mill for their own use) and anyone who has sourced pollen from a mill for further distribution. More information is available on the KVH website here.