Aerial blitz planned on moth pest

The agency in charge of aerial pest spraying wants a free hand to blitz a huge area of Auckland, getting special permission to spray the city's parks and reserves from the air.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has drawn up a 300,000ha zone covering the Greater Auckland region and is busy dealing with any red tape that would prevent it mounting an aerial spray campaign against the fall webworm moth similar to the successful painted apple operation in West Auckland.

It has gained permission from Conservation Minister Chris Carter and the Conservation Authority to spray 413 parks and reserves owned by the Department of Conservation, including Browns Island in the Hauraki Gulf and Bastion Pt near central Auckland.

MAF spokesman Ian Gear played down the latest move, saying no decision to spray had been made.

"I stress the aerial tool is just one tool and there is no decision at the moment to use that," he said.

"It's important people bear in mind that we do not have enough information [about fall webworm]."

The moths were first detected two years ago, but there had been no sign of them again until February, when two were found in Mt Wellington. Another two have been found since.

The blanket approvals will stay in place for five years.

Auckland's councils had already been approached for approval to spray above parks and reserves but a special process was needed to get permission from DoC because of the potential impacts on rare plants and animals.

The potential spray zone would include about two-thirds of the area between Warkworth in the north to Pukekohe in the south.

According to papers from DoC, the approach to Mr Carter and the authority was a "pragmatic solution to an ongoing issue which will allow for rapid deployment of response and reduce the requirement for additional approvals in this area".

The zone was "high risk" and included key pathways for pest invaders, including Auckland Airport and two major sea ports.

West Aucklanders were subjected to two years of aerial spraying against the painted apple moth, and dozens of people left the spray zone each time the planes took to the air.

A variety of health effects, including respiratory problems, rashes and headaches, were reported.

The ministry has always maintained that the Btk spray, a live bacterium naturally occurring in soil, water and air, is safe.

Fall webworm is a voracious feeder on a wide range of fruit and deciduous broadleaf trees and plants including apple and plum trees, willow, white birch, sycamores and poplars. It is not known how much of a threat is poses to New Zealand's natives.

Long-time anti-spray campaigner Hanafia Blackmore said she was "appalled" MAF was putting plans in place when the public had not been consulted.

"Obviously people's health concerns are just not part of MAF's agenda."

Potential spray zone

* North Head Historic Reserve.
* Bastion Pt Recreation Reserve.
* Browns Island Recreational Reserve.
* Okura Estuary.
* Puhoi Scenic Reserve.