Mosquito eradication funding for Marlborough

Government funding has been secured for a $10 million programme which aims to eradicate the southern saltmarsh mosquito from Marlborough.

The money will be spent over the next four years developing and implementing a plan to eradicate the exotic mosquito - a known vector of the Ross River virus - from the Wairau and Lake Grassmere areas.

The southern saltmarsh mosquito was discovered in Marlborough at the beginning of May and staff from New Zealand BioSecure, the Napier-based company running the eradication programme, were posted in Blenheim to begin the first phase of eradication.

Locality manager Steve Crarer said he was pleased the company had secured funding, because staff could now move into the second phase of eradication.

Mr Crarer said it appeared the infestation was contained within the 500-900ha around the Wairau Estuary, Station Creek, Blind River and Grassmere.