It’s been confirmed one of Auckland’s biggest festivals will be moved this year, because of the city’s fruit fly infestation.

The Pasifika festival, which attracts more then 80,000 people, will now be held at Hayman Park in Manukau, on the same dates as originally planned, next month.

Hayman park was chosen for its proximity to a train station, bus hub, and car parking.

So far, five Queensland fruit flies have been found in the Grey Lynn area.

The festival has been held at the park for most of its 23 year history: organising Auckland Council events company ATEED is now considering a number of other venues outside the fruit-fly control zone, and checking their availability and suitability.

Yesterday, the Ministry for Primary Industries announced the discovery of a fifth male fly in a trap within 200 metres of the Grey Lynn property, but said that the find was not a significant development, as it expected to find more flies near the property.

About 120 field staff have been sent out to apply insecticide bait throughout the area and look for any other flies trapped in the ministry’s surveillance trapping system.