The vine killing disease Psa-V has now reached Kerikeri in Northland, an area previously thought to be free of the infection devastating Bay of Plenty kiwifruit orchards.

Kiwifruit Vine Health reports the bacterial infection has been identified on a male vine in an Enza Gold orchard in Kerikeri.

Psa has been found in an orchard in Kerikeri in Northland.

Enza Gold is a kiwifruit variety licenced to the company Turners & Growers.

KVH Chief Executive Barry O'Neil says the disease is likely to have been present, but undetected in the region for several months.

'Like other regions recently confirmed with Psa-V, based on the symptoms seen in Kerikeri we believe it has been undetected in the area for six months or more.

'It's likely to have been inadvertently introduced into the area through the movement of plant material or infected orchard equipment.

'Given the distance between Kerikeri and the closest infected orchard in Franklin, this find is disappointing for the industry and will be a big blow to growers in the region.

'Northland growers have been proactive with their orchard management activities in an attempt to keep Psa-V out of the area.” said Barry.

KVH has established a ‘Kerikeri controlled area' around the infected orchard, which includes 102 orchards in the Kerikeri region.

A map of the area is available for growers on the KVH website at www.kvh.org.nz/maps

The growers within the newly established controlled area are being advised of the situation. KVH will hold a meeting for growers on Monday October 29, 2pm at the Turner Centre, 43 Cobham Road, Kerikeri.

'Spring is when kiwifruit vines break from winter dormancy and Psa-V symptoms are much more visible,” says Barry.

'The finding in Kerikeri is another reminder that Psa-V could be present, but undetected, in other kiwifruit-growing regions. Therefore, it is essential growers do all they can to protect their orchards, even if the signs of Psa-V have not yet been identified in their area.

Barry says KVH representatives are working with growers to ensure extensive monitoring of orchards is carried out.

This latest find follows detection of the disease this month in the Hawke's Bay and earlier in the Waikato.

Last week KVH reported 1669 orchards, covering a total of 8166 ha, had some vines with the infection.

The only regions the disease has so far not been found are Auckland, Whangarei, Poverty Bay, Wanganui/Horowhenua and the South Island.

Psa-V was first identified in New Zealand on a Te Puke orchard on November 5, 2010.