More than 30 queen hornets and 22 nests have been located and destroyed so far in Auckland. Photo: Biosecurity NZ
Millions of dollars is being redirected by the government and sent instead to combat the growing number of invasive, predator hornets being found in Auckland.
Since the first was yellow legged hornet was found on the North Shore, 37 queens have been found in total and 28 nests.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the government has committed $12 million to cover the cost of the response to 30 June 2026.
"Action now will be the most cost effective way to get on top of this rather than any delay," Hoggard said while announcing the funding at MPI offices in Auckland.
Officials were "pretty certain" the hornets are from a single incursion, the minister said.
"So, it's important that we get on top of this pest and eliminate it, particularly, we're pretty certain that this is just a single incursion," Hoggard said.
"And so action now will be the most cost-effective way to get on top of this rather than any delay."
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the government has committed $12 million to cover the cost of the response to 30 June, 2026. Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker-Wilson
The money is to last until late July but Hoggard said more funding will be considered if costs rise.
There was a goal to eradicate the hornets before then, he said.
"In the case of the UK, for example, they get re-infection because they're very close to Europe and they blow across the Channel.
"Whereas for us, this was sort of a one-off, our intention is to get on top of this now and take it out and this is the funding package we believe is needed to fund the activities we think will eliminate the Hornet," he said.
The money will be used for traps, trap checking, property searches and tracking technology.
Hoggard said there were 150 people working on eradication through the summer.
Biosecurity New Zealand was also working with industries as part of a Government Industry Agreement, which included a cost sharing plan for the response.
It also engages with beekeepers.
So far, Biosecurity New Zealand has:
- Detected and safely destroyed 37 queen hornets and 28 nests.
- Deployed more than 730 traps and that number is increasing with the extension of the surveillance zone out to 11km.
- Working closely with more beekeepers for enhanced surveillance around hives - over 575 registered apiaries within the 11km zone.
- Searched thousands of properties within 200m of confirmed finds and that number grows every day.
- Established an independent technical advisory group to guide the response.
- Purchased electronic tracking gear to trace nests by attaching transmitters to foraging worker hornets.
- Launched a national advertising campaign urging the public to report suspected sightings.
- Raised public awareness through markets, schools, businesses, and libraries.
"I can't overstate the importance of public vigilance," Hoggard said.
"I am asking that all eyes are on this, if you suspect you've seen a yellow-legged hornet, please report it immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand."
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