7.38 am
The much-delayed aerial spraying to kill an Australian moth pest in West Auckland resumed at first light today.
The helicopter, which was grounded yesterday when a minor mechanical fault caused a warning system to incorrectly indicate an engine problem, took off at 6.10 this morning.
The crew has now finished spraying
the insecticide Btk to kill caterpillars of the painted apple moth in remaining small areas of the Avondale Peninsula and a section of Kelston, near Archibald Park.
Although there is some cloud the weather forecast is for light winds and no rain - conditions which are perfect for the operation.
The suburbs of Kelston, Glendene and Te Atatu South are to be targeted today and the helicopter is now working on the long axis between Te Atatu South and Glendene.
Mary-Ann Crawford, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry says if the wind doesn't rise there is a good chance of the first aerial spraying operation being completed today.
The spray zone affects about 3000 West Auckland properties around the Whau River, its tributaries and the Avondale peninsula.
When the first stage of the spray campaign has been completed, spraying will stop for three to four weeks before the second round begins.
nzherald.co.nz/environment
