It's been confirmed one of Auckland's biggest festivals will be moved this year, because of the city's fruit fly infestation.
A Queensland fruit fly found in Grey Lynn. Photo: MPI
The Pasifika festival, which attracts more then 80,000 people and is usually held at Western Springs Park, will now be held at Hayman Park in Manukau, on the same dates as originally planned, next month.
Hayman Park was chosen for its proximity to a train station, bus hub, and car parking.
So far, five Queensland fruit flies have been found in the Grey Lynn area.
The festival has been held at Western Springs Park for most of its 23-year history.
A traditional Cook Island dance group entertains a large crowd at the Pasifika Festival in 2012. Photo: AAP
Yesterday, the Ministry for Primary Industries announced the discovery of a fifth male fly in a trap within 200 metres of the Grey Lynn property, but said that the find was not a significant development, as it expected to find more flies near the property.
About 120 field staff have been sent out to apply insecticide bait throughout the area and look for any other flies trapped in the ministry's surveillance trapping system.
Yesterday, the Minister Nathan Guy said he was confident the isolated fruit fly population would be eradicated.
"You know, we've got a world-class biosecurity system but human behaviour, the way it is, people unknowingly bring things in or knowingly smuggle things in."
Mr Guy said it was possible it might never be known how the fruit flies got into New Zealand.
