Fruit fly in Pasifika fest's ointment
Risk posed by horticultural insect pest forces fest with anticipated 80,000 attendees to move to Manukau.
The outbreak of Queensland fruit flies in the Auckland suburb of Grey Lynn has caused one of the city’s biggest annual festivals to be moved from the site it’s been held on for most of its 23-year history.
The Pasifika festival, which attracts more then 80,000 people over two days, was to have taken place in Western Springs Park, which falls within a 1.5km exclusion zone imposed by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Restrictions have been placed on the movement of whole fresh fruit and fleshy vegetables out of the zone, because the Queensland fruit fly lays its eggs in fruit, where the maggots feed.
Australia’s number one horticultural insect pest, the fruit fly has the potential to destroy crops and orchards and thus poses a major threat to the viability of NZ’s export fruit and vegetable markets.
The movement restrictions posed a logistical problem for the festival because many of its 230 craft and food stalls will be serving traditional Pasifika cuisines in which fresh fruit is a staple.
As a result of the potential risks, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), event company Orange Productions and MPI have agreed the festival will be moved to Manukau’s Hayman Park.
According to Auckland mayor Len Brown, "Hayman Park will be a good temporary home for Pasifika Festival. It offers the right size, scale and accessibility - with excellent links to public transport – to accommodate the cultural performances, food and craft which make Pasifika one of Auckland's most loved cultural events.”
The festival will still be held on the previously scheduled dates of March 14 and 15.
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Fruit fly in Pasifika fest's ointment
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