Northland Beekeeperโฃ Calls forโฃ Buffer โZones as Asian hornet Threat Looms
Whangฤrei,New Zealand – A Northland beekeeperโ is urging swift action to establish regional buffer zones as the threat of Asian hornets spreading beyondโ Auckland intensifies,following what he describes as a “failed” response to โkauriโ dieback in the region. the call comes amid concerns that Biosecurity New Zealand’s current strategy may not be enoughโ to protect New Zealand’s vital ecosystems โand economy.
The invasive hornet, Vespaโ velutina, poses a meaningful risk to honeybees and native insects, crucial for pollination. while Biosecurityโค New Zealand is currently leading the response in auckland,whereโ the โขhornets were first detected,someโฃ are questioning the adequacy of the current measures and advocating for a moreโ proactive,regional approach.
Beekeeper Windust,who โคfeels he has โbeen a “lonelyโ voice” calling for a โขstronger response,expressed hope โfor eradication in Auckland but warned against relying solely on Biosecurity New Zealand.โ “There’s to much at stake for New Zealand’s economy and ecosystems,” he said.
Northland Regional Council (NRC) biosecurity manager Don McKenzie acknowledged the concerns, but stated that MPI is leading the Auckland response and has not yet requestedโข assistance or โadvised on regional buffer zones. NRC is currently not recommending trappingโ outside of Auckland due to the risk of catchingโข honeybees โand native insects,but is urging early detection โฃand reporting โขwith clear evidence.
Despite the concerns, major โขindustry groups – Horticulture New Zealand, Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH), and NZ Avocado – have expressed confidence in Biosecurity New Zealand’s leadership and are currently relying on their response.โค horticulture NZ praised MPI’s “quick response” and increasedโ surveillance, while NZโ Avocado โขhighlighted โขexisting research and planning with โคBiosecurity New Zealand for managing potential pollination threats. Fonterra, a signatory to the Biosecurity Business Pledge, stated it works through โindustry-government agreements for biosecurity responses.
the situation underscores lessons learned โขfrom โคpast biosecurity challenges, with Windust pointing to the “failed” kauri dieback โฃresponse in Northland as evidence of the need for innovation andโ community-led action.
