A web-based initiative is offering support to the growers in the kiwifruit industry in the wake of the Psa disease outbreak.

The vine killing disease has devastated the North Island's kiwifruit industry since it first appeared in November 2010 - and continues to cause a lot of stress within the Bay of Plenty.

A Bay of Plenty Psa support page continues to help the kiwifruit community deal with Psa outbreak.

A Bay of Plenty Psa support page on the Webhealth website aims to help employers and staff whose livelihoods have been affected by the downturn in the kiwifruit industry in a non-confrontational manner.

Linkage Webhealth representative for the Eastern Bay of Plenty Angela Jackson says while the webpage was launched last February, people need to be reminded this service is out there as increasing strains are starting to show in the local community.

The support page contains a directory of health and social services within the Bay of Plenty as well as information and help with stress, depression and financial help giving Bay of Plenty residents' access to regional information.

'I think it's because it says ‘Bay of Plenty' and people want local information. It relates to us.

'I think people can look on the page whether they are the person who owns the orchard, the pack house worker or their families.”

The disease was first detected in Te Puke in November 2010 and has since spread throughout the North Island infecting more than 1600 orchards.

In the early stages of the disease outbreak, the Government contributed $25million, matched dollar for dollar by industry, for the management of Psa.

The support page can be accessed by going to www.webhealth.co.nz/bop and looking for Bay of Plenty support.