Asian hornet threat: Beekeeper’s petition urges tougher MPI action

A Queen Asian hornet was first found in mid-October in the North Shore suburb of Glenfield.

The bee-eating hornets have the potential to devastate New Zealand’s primary industries, as has happened overseas.

Windust claimed MPI acted too little, too late, saying the ministry should have acted immediately after two male hornets were discovered in June and July in Grafton and Albany.

Instead, the initial response focused on pamphlets and public education.

Windust said MPI’s approach has since been reactive rather than proactive, pointing to its stance on traps as an example.

First, the agency claimed there were no suitable traps for hornets, then raised concerns about bycatch. Only after queens were found did MPI begin using traps — but in limited numbers and only within a 5km radius.

A queen Asian yellow-legged hornet in the early stages of nest building. Photo / supplied

Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis highlighted operational changes, which included:

Trap numbers increased fivefold to more than 600 within a 5km radius, using different trap designs and lures;Traps added as hornets are found; Ground searches completed at more than 2100 properties, with more added daily;Electronic tracking gear purchased and used under UK expert’s guidance to trace nests if worker activity rises;Nationwide public awareness campaign launched this week urging reports of sightings;Working closely with primary sector partners, including the bee industry.Yellow-legged hornet characteristics. Photo Buckeye Yard & Garden, Ohio State University.

Inglis said public vigilance was essential; MPI appreciated the 4200 notifications it had received to date.

“We continue to be guided by international expertise from people who have dealt with the hornet directly and we will adjust our response as required.

“Our Government Industry Agreement governance group, which includes all major sector groups, meets twice weekly to discuss the response.

“We have contingency planning in place for the summer, and our people are committed to their work.”

Jack Craw, deputy chair of Northland Regional Council and chair of its Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party, said the council was “deeply concerned” about the hornet, which could wipe out 30% of New Zealand’s honeybees. NRC was monitoring MPI updates daily.

Craw said MPI was “a bit slow getting off the mark” but is now “doing a pretty good job”.

Craw wouldn’t say if he thought Windust’s advocacy had directly influenced MPI’s increased effort; however, he was grateful to him for raising the issue.

Early last month, Windust called for the establishment of regional buffer zones to stop the hornets spreading beyond Auckland, if they hadn’t already done so by hitch-hiking on transport and goods.

Craw said regional buffer zones are premature and could risk MPI abandoning its eradication effort, which he stressed must remain the priority.

“If the problem gets out of hand, then we’d certainly be calling on Brad and others like him to assist in exactly the kind of programme that he has described.”

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones supported the idea as “worth pursuing” but confirmed today he was prevented by Cabinet mandate from financing it with Regional Development funds – despite the potential impact.

Jones said he raised the idea with MPI director-general Ray Smith, who was receptive but needed to ensure its resources were being deployed in a way “that they could defend and create the maximum result”.

He supported MPI’s efforts: “It’s not as if they’re sitting around sipping chamomile tea,” he said, noting MPI staff were working extensively in the upper North Harbour area.

Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in journalism, most of which she spent court reporting in Gisborne and on the East Coast.