Grey Lynn fruit fly update: 14 flies caught

A Queensland Fruit Fly.

A total of 14 Queensland fruit flies have now been caught in central Auckland.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said one more fruit fly had been found with officials still confident they are dealing with a localised population that could be eradicated.

It said DNA testing on all flies to date showed genetic similarity, which meant it was most likely a localised population.

MPI thanked residents and businesses in and around the Grey Lynn area for their support and said controls would likely remain in place for the next few months.

After taking a 20 percent hit on sales after the outbreak artisan food store Farro Fresh has introduced a packaging and permit system to allow customers to take fresh produce out of the affected area.

"Our idea was to package all fruit and vegetables off-site in a non-restricted zone and completely seal them for transport to, and thus from, the restricted zone," said Farro co-founder Janene Draper, whose shop is in the outer of the two controlled zones.

Customers will have to sign a ministry register in the shop to attest that they understand the restrictions. They will be given a re-useable permit to take sealed packages of Farro produce outside the controlled zone.

An established population of the Queensland fruit fly could devastate the country's lucrative horticulture industry and result in restrictions on our international exports.

MPI is restricting the movement of fresh fruit and vegetables in a controlled area around Grey Lynn and surrounding suburbs, and has also introduced tougher border restrictions in a bid to prevent further incursions.