$11m more to battle saltmarsh mosquito

The Government will pour another $11 million into trying to eradicate the southern saltmarsh mosquito.

Biosecurity New Zealand in July took over from the Ministry of Health efforts to eradicate the pest. The agency has been asked to reassess the feasibility of eradication and report back on this and alternative pest management options by June.

The "Aussie mozzie" was first detected in Napier in 1998 and was eradicated from there and half a dozen other sites, but infestations at some other estuaries have proved more tenacious.

The latest $11 million brings to more than $51 million the money the Government has spent on it.