Asian Hornet Crisis Tests New Zealand's Biosecurity Response

As Asian hornets continue to establish themselves in Auckland's North Shore, a growing petition is amplifying calls for more decisive government action to protect New Zealand's delicate ecosystem and primary industries.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) reported on Sunday that 27 queens, seven workers, and 17 nests have been located and destroyed across Glenfield and Birkdale. This marks a significant escalation since the first queen was discovered in mid-October in Glenfield.

The bee-eating hornets pose an existential threat to New Zealand's biodiversity and agricultural sector, with the potential to devastate honeybee populations that are crucial for pollination and food security.

Criticism of Government Response

Activist Brad Windust has emerged as a vocal critic of MPI's handling of the crisis, arguing the ministry's response has been inadequate and reactive. He points to the discovery of two male hornets in June and July in Grafton and Albany, suggesting MPI should have acted immediately rather than initially focusing on public education materials.

"The approach has been reactive rather than proactive," Windust said, highlighting MPI's evolving stance on trapping methods as evidence of poor planning. Initially claiming no suitable traps existed, then raising concerns about bycatch, MPI only began deploying traps after queens were found, and even then in limited numbers within a 5km radius.

Regional Concerns and Buffer Zone Debate

Jack Craw, deputy chair of Northland Regional Council and chair of its Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party, expressed deep concern about the hornets' potential to eliminate 30% of New Zealand's honeybee population. While acknowledging MPI was "slow getting off the mark," he praised their current efforts.

Windust has advocated for establishing regional buffer zones to prevent the hornets spreading beyond Auckland. However, Craw considers such measures premature, warning they could undermine the critical eradication effort that must remain the priority.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has shown support for buffer zones as "worth pursuing" but revealed he's prevented by Cabinet mandate from financing such initiatives with Regional Development funds, despite the potential economic and environmental impact.

MPI's Evolving Response

Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis highlighted operational changes in the ministry's approach, emphasizing the importance of public vigilance. MPI has received 4,200 notifications from concerned citizens 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," Inglis said. The ministry has established a Government Industry Agreement governance group that meets twice weekly, including all major sector representatives.

With summer approaching, MPI has contingency planning in place, though critics question whether the response matches the scale of the threat to New Zealand's unique ecosystem and agricultural economy.

This crisis highlights the ongoing challenges facing New Zealand's biosecurity systems in an increasingly connected world, where invasive species can quickly establish themselves and threaten the country's environmental and economic foundations.