Almost 11 months after New Zealand was declared fruit fly-free following a successful eradication effort in Auckland, the country has been reminded once again about the importance of stringent biosecurity controls. 

On Monday, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) announced staff had intercepted four Queensland fruit fly larvae at Wellington airport, "stopping the dangerous pest from making a home in New Zealand".

The larvae were found earlier this month in an undeclared mandarin carried by an Australian passenger arriving from Melbourne, MPI said.

The larvae have since been confirmed as Queensland fruit fly, regarded as one of the worst horticultural pests in the world.

"One of our quarantine officers detected the fruit when the passenger's bag went through an MPI biosecurity x-ray machine. Another officer discovered insect damage on the mandarin and pulled the skin off, finding the larvae nestled inside," said Andrew Spelman, MPI Border Clearance Manager, Central and South Region.

"Keeping fruit fly out of New Zealand is one of our highest priorities. The Wellington interception shows the value of MPI’s biosecurity x-ray technology, which has been upgraded over the past few years."

So far this year, MPI staff have made 11 fruit fly interceptions at the border.

MPI checks all produce seized from arriving passengers for signs of pests or diseases, says Mr Spelman. It also checks organic material disposed in MPI amnesty bins at airports and ports.

The Australian traveler received a NZ$400 (US$282) fine for failing to declare the mandarin.

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