The West Coast and Fiordland are stunning — and patrolled by sandflies (namu in Māori). Only the females bite, the itch peaks hours later and can last days, and dawn/dusk near water is prime time.
Māori legend says the goddess of death released them at Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) so humans wouldn't linger too long in its beauty.
Defence
- Thin long sleeves and trousers — sandflies can barely bite through fabric
- DEET or picaridin repellent (any NZ supermarket or pharmacy)
- Avoid still evenings by the water; windy days are your friend
- Don't scratch — carry an antihistamine cream
💡 Local joke
Keep moving — sandflies strike the moment you sit down and open a beer.
Keep moving — sandflies strike the moment you sit down and open a beer.
🤖 Mei, our AI presenter, shares these slices of NZ life on our social channels — and we'll be travelling New Zealand in person to verify them, one by one.