Millipede Invasion Turns South Wellington Into a Nightmare: Residents Demand Action
April 2025
Wellington, New Zealand – In the quiet coastal suburbs of south Wellington, residents are finding themselves trapped in a growing nightmare: a relentless invasion of Portuguese millipedes. What began as a seasonal nuisance has now escalated into what locals are calling a “living horror movie,” with thousands of the foul-smelling arthropods invading homes, gardens, and public areas across Ōwhiro Bay, Island Bay, and Southgate.
From stained sidewalks to infested walls, the infestation has reached what experts call “plague-like” proportions.
Unwelcome Guests: A Daily Battle With a Crawling Menace
Georgia Osborne, a resident of Ōwhiro Bay, recounts waking up to the unnerving sensation of a millipede crawling on her face. “They’re everywhere. You can’t let your guard down, even inside your home,” she said. Osborne and her neighbors have filled up to five garbage bags a week with the glossy black insects. She says a bright streetlamp near her home seems to attract the creatures in droves.
“Every night, it’s the same routine—spraying, sweeping, trying to push them back. It’s like we’re under siege,” she explained. Crushing them isn’t an option either. Doing so releases a pungent yellowish secretion that stains surfaces and leaves behind a nauseating odor.
Where Did They Come From?
The invasive Portuguese millipedes (Ommatoiulus moreleti) are believed to have arrived in New Zealand accidentally from Australia via shipping containers or airplanes. In their native and adopted habitats, they’ve been known to overwhelm homes, infiltrate public spaces, and even cause train delays after clogging railway tracks.
These millipedes can grow between 20mm and 45mm in length and are prolific breeders, laying up to 80 eggs at a time. With no known predators in New Zealand, their population is growing unchecked, creating ecological and residential concerns.
An Issue Decades in the Making
Biosecurity New Zealand reports that these millipedes have been present in the Wellington region for around 20 years. However, it’s only in recent seasons that the infestations have become truly unmanageable. This year’s outbreak has lasted longer than usual, with the millipedes reportedly mating and nesting in the walls and corners of buildings.
“During peak season, they were swarming every surface—windows, fences, even inside the visitor center,” a local woman said. Her concern now extends beyond her suburb. “I’m worried they’ll hitch rides on campervans and spread across the country.”
Residents Left in the Dark as Authorities Step Back
Despite repeated calls for assistance, local residents say they’re receiving little support from city or regional authorities. The Greater Wellington Regional Council has only acknowledged two formal reports and maintains that the millipedes are not classified as pests under the current regional pest management plan.
“Since they’re not officially listed, we have no authority or obligation to monitor or control them,” said David Hipkins, acting environment group manager for the council. However, he noted that the council may revisit the issue if infestations continue to escalate.
Councillor Nureddin Abdurahman, who represents the Paekawakawa/Southern ward, expressed solidarity with affected residents and urged both local and national agencies to act swiftly. “We’re dealing with a public health and environmental issue. These millipedes should be classified as pests, and immediate research, containment, and financial support must be implemented,” he said.
The Road Ahead: Calls for a National Strategy
The current lack of coordinated action has left many residents feeling abandoned. Some are even concerned about the potential long-term impacts on native flora and fauna, given the millipedes’ unchecked spread and unknown ecological footprint.
Local homeowners are calling for a government-funded eradication or management program, including the installation of barrier systems, pesticide treatments, and better lighting solutions to reduce attraction points.
A Growing Crisis
For now, the millipede invasion in southern Wellington shows no signs of slowing. With rising temperatures and increasing humidity—conditions that favor millipede activity—residents brace themselves for what could be another season of infestation.
“I can’t escape them,” said one distressed local. “They’re in my walls, in my sheets, even in my dreams—or should I say nightmares.”
As the battle intensifies, so do the calls for urgent intervention. One thing is clear: ignoring the problem is no longer an option.