'It could destroy us' – Auckland strawberry grower fears for local industry amid needle contamination scandal

An Auckland strawberry grower worries the discovery of needles in strawberries imported from Australia sold at an Auckland Countdown could "destroy people's incomes".

Phil Greig spoke to 1 NEWS today from his strawberry farm in Kumeu, north-west of Auckland.

He says the issue is an Australian problem and doesn't want Kiwi strawberries to be tarnished from the incident.

"I don't think anyone's really going to bring in Australian strawberries now and hopefully that will solve the problem.

"The main thing is not to panic," Mr Greig said.

However, he is worried about local growers' livelihoods after the discovery.

"I don't think it will happen here to be honest, it's just a dumb thing for people to do and it just destroys peoples' incomes, from the staff right up to the top, and it could destroy us."

His final piece of advice for those worried about buying the sweet fruit treat: "The main thing is to get out there and eat New Zealand strawberries, they're coming on thick and fast in the next couple of weeks and they will be beautiful."

Woolworths-owned supermarket chain Countdown yesterday announced it was removing Choice brand strawberries, imported from Western Australia, from shelves across NZ after an Auckland customer reported discovering needles in their fruit.

It is the first such case reported across the Tasman.

The company said it had alerted authorities in Australia while New Zealand police and government agencies have also launched their own investigations.