North Island Sand Flies?
 

Hello,

I travelled around the South Island of New Zealand 3 years ago and a travelling companion was badly effected by sand fly bites while at Milford Sound and while travelling right up the West Coast. The East Coast and Queenstown were fine.

We are planning to go to the North Island in September this year and we are understandably concerned about sand flies again.

Can anyone advise their experiences? Are there areas we should avoid?

Thanks for your help

This is a very useful site: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/sandflies-and-mosquitoes/1

There is a map which shows the worst places - Milford Sound and the West Coast, funnily enough. I found them particularly bothersome down there as they bit me even though I had Bug Off on - which has always worked for me in other parts of NZ. I suggest you get some DEET (rather than the bacon or lard used in earlier days as also discussed on that site).

I haven't been to the NI in ages, so I'm of no help, but this might shed some light:

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/sandflies-and-mosquitoes/1

Opps...just noticed it was the same link posted by hereandtherenz, sorry about that!

They are not as bad on the North Island. If hiking around water, it is still a good idea to DEET up, if you are sensitive to the bites.

Thanks all for your help.
The map was good.
Its been decided that my husband and I will go ourselves this time. We are really looking forward to it !!

Cheers