38,000 tonnes are harvested each year.
New Zealand has once again been declared free of the serious pest species.
"It's silly people, doing stupid things."
A new interactive programme has been rolled out over summer.
However, there is good news ahead for lovers of the fruit.
The top three-quarters of the country is drying out.
Prices for the small green citrus fruit have shot up this summer.
It follows a painstaking cross-pollination process.
"We face the dilemma of whether to continue pick your own or not."
