Special lights to deter insects at Port of Napier

The Port of Napier is using special floodlights to prevent tiny stowaways from putting fruit and vegetable exports at risk.

The new lights, tested last year under Ministry of Agriculture supervision, are part of new biosecurity measures adopted by the port to prevent exotic insects being imported and exported.

Port of Napier chief executive Garth Cowie said installing floodlights that did not attract insects was especially important because the port was a major apple, kiwifruit, squash and onion export centre.

"You only have to go to the international cricket matches at McLean Park [in Napier] to see the number of moths and beetles floodlights attract."