Weather Causes Further Delays For Aerial Operation
Plans to complete the current aerial operation against the painted apple moth this weekend have been disrupted by
forecasts of ongoing rain and wind. The latest aerial operation to wipe out the painted apple moth commenced around
5.50am on Tuesday morning (7 January) and was suspended at 2.00pm due to rising wind.
The programme has been unable to complete the aerial operation during the week due to unsuitable weather conditions. A
rainy, windy weather pattern has set in and there will be no aerial operation on Saturday 11 or Sunday 12 January.
The situation will be reviewed and if the weather permits, operations will resume on Monday 13 January.
The current operation covers the entire eradication zone and includes the “Hobsonville hotspot” that takes in small
parts of Beachaven and Greenhithe. Favourable weather conditions for most of Tuesday allowed nearly 80% of the target
zone to be completed yesterday. The remaining 2,500 ha (approximately) should take half a day to complete. The public
can call the free phone 0800 96 96 96 for general information about the programme. People can also listen to Newstalk
ZB, 531 pi, AM 990 BC and Radio Korea 1386AM for updates.