Beware unwanted Christmas surprises

Beware unwanted Christmas surprises

December and January will see reduced passengers arriving into New Zealand due to COVID-19, but we continue to see an ever increasing amount of cargo and mail over this period with volumes in the express freight pathway doubling every three years.  

To keep our region safe from exotic pests, please take care when opening packages from overseas.  

It remains the high risk season for the Brown Marmorated Stink bug and other hitchhiker pests. If you discover any usual bugs while opening imported parcels, contain them in a secure container and take a photo. To report any unusual insects in the packages you open or within your orchard call MPI’s confidential hotline 0800 809 966. The earlier we contain and report these critters the less chance they have of spreading and causing damage to the industry.