Copper spraying on the Te Puke orchards infected with Psa is being postponed. Minister of Agriculture David Carter announced on Wednesday during his visit to the region that copper spraying would be carried out on Thursday.

A leaf in Te Puke showing the Psa disease.

MAF biodiversity spokesperson Annie Wright says they have decided to reverse this decision as they still need to explore some technical aspects of the spray.

It has not been decided when the spray will be applied.

Psa is confirmed at three orchards near Te Puke.

MAF is holding a meeting on Thursday to discuss the tests being carried out to determine the strand of Psa.

Annie believes the results will not be known until next week, but says it is possible the strand will be revealed on Friday.

MAF staff are on the ground investigating 14 Bay of Plenty orchards near Te Puke, but Zespri has received evidence of 75 orchards exhibiting Psa symptoms.

MAF and Zespri will deploy over 40 personnel on Thursday morning as part of a ‘rapid response team' to work with kiwifruit growers to collect random leaf samples from Gold and Green orchards in the Te Puke region.

The team comprises of 20 Agfirst Bay of Plenty representatives and 20 orchard specialists from across the post harvest sector.

Authorities tackling the infection threat say the steps being carried out on Thursday are important for understanding and containing the spread of Psa.