The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the pea growing industry are on track to eradicate the pest insect pea weevil from New Zealand.
The pest was first discovered in the Wairarapa in 2016 and has been subject to an eradication programme since then.
"Our trapping programme found only 15 pea weevils from 2 neighbouring sites this season. That is significantly down on the 1,735 pea weevils which were found across 11 sites last season. MPI response manager Nicky Fitzgibbon said.
"It's encouraging progress. We think that is largely due to the Controlled Area Notice currently in place which restricts the growing of peas in the Wairarapa up to Pahiatua. We intend to maintain these restrictions until we are confident that we can eradicate the pest from New Zealand".
"We understand the restrictions have had an impact on the pea growing industry and wider Wairarapa community and MPI would like to recognise their efforts and support.
"Growers have shown a great deal of flexibility by finding alternate crops to plant while we've been working to get rid of this pest and that support has been critical in our success so far."