Movement controls on fruit and vegetables in Mt Roskill have been lifted after six weeks of trapping and inspections found no further evidence of Queensland fruit fly.

Biosecurity New Zealand’s northern commissioner, Mike Inglis, said the decision follows intensive surveillance in the suburb, including checks of 358 fruit fly traps and the inspection of more than 230 kilograms of fruit. Staff made over 9,800 visits to service traps during the operation, and 364 biosecurity bins were placed in the community for safe disposal of produce waste.

“We’re satisfied that with no further detections, the Controlled Area Notice restrictions can be lifted and response operations closed,” Inglis said, thanking residents and local businesses for complying with movement rules and helping dispose of fruit waste.

With the closure, the biosecurity wheelie bins will be removed and road signs taken down. Biosecurity staff are in the area today handing out flyers about the closure and thanking residents and business owners.

While the local response wraps up, routine nationwide surveillance continues. Nearly 8,000 fruit fly traps are in place across the country, including more than 4,600 around Auckland. The traps target three exotic species of concern: Queensland fruit fly, Mediterranean fruit fly and Oriental fruit fly.