The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced the fruit fly has been successfully eradicated from New Zealand.
Field staff cleared fruit fly traps in Grey Lynn for the final time this morning and found no signs of the Queensland fruit fly. No fruit flies have been found in the area since March.
"Local residents will be happy to hear that the controlled area has been lifted and there are longer any restrictions on the movement of fresh fruit and vegetables in Auckland," says MPI Director-General Martyn Dunne.
He says MPI bins can be removed and "life should soon get back to normal".
The eradication has cost $13.6 million, as at the end of October.
The programme began in February this year when a single Queensland fruit fly was caught in one of the MPI's fruit fly surveillance traps. A small breeding population was soon found.
MPI says its routine checks for fruit flies will continue and the nationwide surveillance traps will stay in place.
"I'd also like to take this time to remind New Zealanders that everyone has a role in biosecurity and if people are travelling overseas, they must declare or dispose of biosecurity risk goods, such as food, when returning," says Mr Dunne.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy thanked affected residents for their patience and for following the rules around transporting fruit and vegetables.
While the rein of the fruit fly is over, Mr Guy says authorities will be on high alert over summer because of a wide spread of the fruit fly in Australia's eastern states.
This includes a Border Clearance Levy from January 1 meaning travellers will pay directly for biosecurity and customs service as demand increases.
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