Two listed companies are the first victims of a suspected incursion in NZ of a bacterial disease which has ripped through gold kiwifruit varieties overseas, particularly in Italy.

An orchard is under quarantine after the discovery of a suspected bacterial disease that may threaten NZ's $1.5b kiwifruit industry.

Heads of the NZ Jewish communities are protesting the Government's proposed animal-welfare ban on shechita, the Jewish ritual slaughter of livestock.

Jetstar's calls to scrap immigration checks on the Tasman have sparked biosecurity fears from Federated Farmers.

Boaties are being asked to check their vessels for hitchhiking seaweed, after a noxious Japanese kelp turned up in Fiordland.

New Zealand bio-security and food safety authorities moved proactively this morning to announce the discovery of a brain disease that affects sheep.