Biosecurity New Zealand is continuing to ramp up its response to yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) detections on Auckland’s North Shore, says Mike Inglis, North Commissioner, Biosecurity New Zealand.

“We have staff working fulltime on the response, including incursion investigators, laboratory staff, and people working in the field, engaging with the community, and carrying out surveillance alongside the public’s great efforts to date,” Mr Inglis says. “This week we’re adding to our response work on the ground to methodically track the hornet.”

Mr Inglis says a plan of work is under way that includes:

• 142 traps laid in targeted areas where females have been found. Every trap is checked daily. No hornets have been found in traps to date.
• Enhanced on the ground surveillance in the areas where the queen hornets have been found that involves visual inspection of common nesting areas such as trees, roof eaves, fence lines, and other potential habitats.
• A trial will start soon using protein bait traps in addition to those already out.
• We have also pulled together a Technical Advisory Group of independent scientific experts with expertise in the biology, ecology, and management of social wasps. The TAG will consider options for ongoing work.
• We continue to encourage public surveillance and had people at local markets over the weekend alongside our updates for industry groups.

Mr Inglis says the use of protein traps will increase over the summer months when hornet activity is expected to rise.

“We will continue to adapt our work as we gather more information about the hornet’s movements.”

Since 17 October, Biosecurity New Zealand has confirmed and safely removed five queen hornets and their nests – four in Glenfield and one in Birkdale, around 1.3 kilometres from the first detection.

“We’ve found and confirmed one queen in the past week after a public notification,” says Mr Inglis.

A queen and two males are also suspected, but not confirmed, based on photographs provided.

Mr Inglis says Biosecurity New Zealand is aware of members of the public taking previously published photos of the hornet and posting them on social media, with claims it is a new discovery, making confirmation from photographs alone unviable.

“We encourage people to notify us of finds and we’ll come to try collect a sample.”

Mr Inglis says staff have also been visiting local businesses that receive international cargo to provide information about the hornet.

Reporting from the public remains the best way to track down the hornet, Mr Inglis says.

“We’ve had an incredible response from the public so far, with more than 2500 notifications. We’re asking everyone in New Zealand to keep an eye out.

“While detections are currently limited to Auckland’s North Shore, nationwide vigilance gives us confidence these hornets are not elsewhere.”

Members of the public are urged to report suspected hornets or nests, but only if they have a specimen, a clear photo, or have located a possible nest.

Reports can be made at report.mpi.govt.nz or through Biosecurity New Zealand’s exotic pest and disease hotline: 0800 809 966.

• Look out for hornets – Pamphlet - https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/70758-Look-out-for-hornets

For further information and regularly updates on hornet finds please visit: Yellow-legged hornet sightings in Auckland in 2025 | NZ Government

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