2969 (2026). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity

Written Question

Published date: 19 Feb 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	2969 (2026)
Question asked:	03 Feb 2026
Member asking:	Hon Jo Luxton
Portfolio:	Minister for Biosecurity
Minister replying:	Hon Andrew Hoggard
Answer received:	12 Feb 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_02969_2026
Document guid:	1ff69a30-e989-4964-b4d3-064ea9859613

2969 (2026). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity: What genetic testing, if any, has been undertaken in waterways adjacent to, or near, known Corbicula fluminea infestations, including sampling locations, dates of sampling, and detection thresholds?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: I am advised that environmental DNA surveillance for Corbicula fluminea has been undertaken in high-risk waterbodies adjacent to known incursions and that no Corbicula fluminea has been found to date. Sampling has been undertaken in the Waikato River and, most recently, Lake Rotomanu in New Plymouth aiming to establish an early detection threshold. Most recently in the last six months: • For the Waikato region: o November 2025 / January 2026 – Upper Waikato River o September 2025 – Lake Taupō • For the Taranaki region o November/December 2025 - Lake Rotomanu and the Waiwhakaiho River o December 2025 – Lake Ratapiko o December 2025 – Waitara catchment Additionally, visual surveillance in waterways is being undertaken in adjacent regions.