Operation Waiheke Island
Press Releases
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- Operation Waiheke officially stood down
25 May 2005
Operation Waiheke, MAF's response to the claimed release of Foot and Mouth disease on Waiheke Island officially ended on Monday. - Second letter says Foot and Mouth threat a hoax
16 May 2005
A second letter, received today by Wellington's Dominion Post newspaper, has stated that the claims made last week are a hoax and that no foot and mouth virus was released in New Zealand. - Media Advisory - Latest Media Conference Re Waiheke Island Situation
13 May 2005
A press conference will be held at MAF at 11.30am today (Friday 13 May) - MAF Terrace entrance, 101-103 The Terrace, Wellington. No evidence of disease has been found on Waiheke Island to date and the surveillance operation is continuing. - Current Waiheke Island Update
12 May 2005
Actions resulting from the claimed release of Foot and Mouth Disease on Waiheke Island continue.
MAF and the Police consider the claim a hoax, but given the significant implications, have to treat the claim seriously. No sign of disease has been found, and New Zealand remains foot and mouth disease free. - Media Advisory - Latest Media Conference Re Waiheke Island Situation
12 May 2005
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is holding a media conference at 11.30 am this morning (Thursday 12 May) to provide a further update on the claimed release of foot and mouth disease on Waiheke Island. - Operation Waiheke Media Advisory 4
11 May 2005
By mid-afternoon today, MAF officials had contacted 30 Waiheke Island farmers, but were still unable to reach the owners of nine small farms. Any Waiheke farmers who have not spoken to MAF officials are asked to contact MAF on 0800 80 99 66. - Operation Waiheke Media Advisory 3
11 May 2005
Actions related to the claimed release of Foot and Mouth Disease on Waiheke Island continue.
At 5pm yesterday a Controlled Area notice for Waiheke Island became effective. There are currently six veterinarians, two specialist exotic disease investigators and three media liaison staff working on the island. Checkpoints have been established at the two main ferry terminals on the island and nine police officers are present to support MAF staff. Efforts are focusing on the 12 largest properties, as these hold the greatest numbers of stock and pose the greatest risk of spread. - Media Advisory - Media Conference - Claimed Foot and Mouth Threat
11 May 2005
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is holding a further media conference at 11 am this morning (Wednesday 11th May) to provide an update on the claimed release of foot and mouth disease on Waiheke Island. - Operation Waiheke Media Advisory 2
10 May 2005
Actions related to the claimed release of Foot and Mouth Disease on Waiheke Island continue to take place. - Media Advisory - Media Conference Re Claimed Foot and Mouth Threat
10 May 2005
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is holding a media conference at 6 am tomorrow morning (Wednesday 11th May) to provide an update on the claimed release of foot and mouth disease on Waiheke Island. - Controlled Area Notice under the Biosecurity Act 1993
10 May 2005
Section 131 - Controlled Area, Movement Controls and Procedures in Respect of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) - Waiheke Island and Surrounding Area - Biosecurity threat investigation
10 May 2005
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Director of Biosecurity Barry O'Neil said today that MAF and Police were responding to a claimed deliberate release of foot and mouth virus on Waiheke Island.
For further information about Foot and Mouth Disease
- Compensation Available in the Event of a Foot and Mouth Outbreak in New Zealand
- Operation Waiheke - Questions and answers 10 May 2005
- Biosecurity New Zealand Foot and Mouth information website
- Foot and Mouth Disease Fact Sheet [
PDF 201K] - Information sheet on Exotic Animal Diseases [
PDF 2.3M]
Contact for Enquiries
MAF Communications
Level 9
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0300
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