Grey Lynn residents received a 'fruitful” thank you from the horticultural industry today – including representatives from Tauranga – for the part they played in helping to eradicate Queensland fruit fly from New Zealand.

Fruit and vegetable grower representatives, including a party from the Western Bay, were out and about in Grey Lynn today, handing out vouchers to more than 300 households to acknowledge their help in saving the country's $6 billion industry.

Mike Chapman (NZKGI Tauranga) with Grey Lynn residents Terina, Aratema and Krystal Ngawiki, with Julian Raine (Hort NZ) and Alan Pollard (Pipfruit NZ). Photos: Supplied.

Lara Harrison, Kiwifruit Vine Health communications coordinator, says it was a great day and the vouchers were well received.

'It was really good to collaborate with other industries and the residents were thrilled,” she says.

New Zealand was officially declared Queensland fruit fly-free on December 4, some 10 months since the first of 14 flies were discovered in the Auckland suburb during February this year.

The group of 12 from Kiwifruit Vine Health, Pipfruit New Zealand and Horticulture New Zealand will be delivering a gift card to every household in Zone A of the Queensland fruit fly controlled area.

The cards are redeemable at one of six retailers also affected by movement controls put in place during the response.

Pipfruit New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard says door knocking is a way to shake hands with residents whose daily lives were impacted the most, and had the greatest responsibility of protecting growers' livelihoods and New Zealand's horticultural industry.

'We are looking forward to personally thanking Grey Lynn households and families who, for the past 10 months, have played a critical part in protecting our industry from an insect that put our $6 billion industry at risk,” says Alan.

Kiwifruit Vine Health Chief Executive, Barry O'Neil, says support from the local community during the response was essential in achieving a successful outcome.

'Without their co-operation over the last 10 months, eradication would have been far more difficult,” explains Barry, 'so we are very grateful for their ongoing assistance during a very inconvenient time for them.”

As part of the eradication programme, residents in Zone A were most affected by response activity and opened their backyards to have pest control teams set and monitor traps on their properties.

HortNZ president Julian Raine says the New Zealand industry owns a deep debt of gratitude to the residents and retailers in the affected areas.

'We can't thank these people enough for their concern and vigilance,” says Julian.

Peter Mourits (KVH), Lynne Hayman (HortNZ), Andy Borland (Pipfruit NZ), John Cook (HortNZ), Julian Raine (Hort NZ), Mike Chapman (NZKGI), Karyn Lowry (KVH), Megan Meneely (KVH), Linda Peacock (KVH) and John Mather (KVH) formed part of the team that went out to thank Grey Lynn residents today.