One of Auckland's biggest produce markets will be targeted this weekend by officials trying to contain a biosecurity threat to the country's horticulture industry after a Queensland fruitfly was found in a Mt Roskill trap.
Avondale Market is just outside a 1.5km cordon set up by the Ministry of Primary Industries to prevent fruit and vegetables being moved out of the target area but residents inside the cordon will not be allowed to take produce to the market.
An area with a 200m radius from Wolverton Road (Zone A) would be controlled and a larger area with a 1.5km radius (Zone B) had also been created, deputy director of the Ministry of Primary Industries Andrew Coleman said.
Both zones were issued with controlled place notices from midday today.
The controlled place notice in Zone A restricts the movement of fruit and vegetables from individual properties and inspectors would be going door-to-door to inform residents about the restrictions.
No fruit or vegetables can be removed from Zone B.
"You can take it from your property to other properties, but not from the zone," Mr Coleman said.
"Anything can come into the zone, but cannot leave," he said.
He said the ministry was aware of tackling the huge crowds at Avondale's Sunday market, the largest seller of fresh produce in the area.
Hundreds of sellers came into the Avondale area and thousands of people would go to the market to buy produce.
Ministry staff would be handing out pamphlets telling people about restrictions on buying and selling produce.
Mr Coleman said the ministry was also working with supermarkets and other produce retailers in the area.