Biosecurity Minister David Carter says hopes of eradicating the Psa disease are fading, with the number of infected orchards climbing.

The kiwifruit crisis in the Bay of Plenty is reaching new heights, with the number of stricken Te Puke orchards today doubling to eight. Another 82 are under investigation.

A fourth orchard in Te Puke has been confirmed with the kiwifruit vine-killing disease PSA. MAF is currently investigating 82 orchards in total.

As suspicions grow that Psa has spread to kiwfruit orchards outside the BOP, MAF says it's unlikely it will be able to eradicate the disease.

The Govt could learn today whether diseased kiwifruit vines will need to be destroyed, as leaves begin to wilt on the first properties reported.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is preparing to copper-spray kiwifruit orchards affected by the vine-killing Psa bacteria, despite reservations it could do more harm than good.

Spraying kiwifruit vines with copper spray in hopes of controlling the vine-killing bacteria PSA has been put on hold today as growers and experts discuss the consequences of the action.

A vine-killing disease threatening to cost NZ's kiwifruit industry hundreds of millions of dollars is spreading. Last night, 75 orchards were showing possible symptoms.

Seventy-five properties have made contact about possible Psa symptoms, with the Govt worried the disease may be far more widespread.

A kiwifruit industry expert is warning that under reaction to the vine canker disease could be fatal for the industry.

A third Kiwifruit orchard has been placed under 'restricted place notice' after symptoms of a bacterial infection were found.

The public is being asked to stay away from all kiwifruit orchards as the extent of a bacterial outbreak already confirmed on one Bay of Plenty property remains unclear.

Agriculture Minister David Carter will hold talks with kiwifruit growers after symptoms of a vine-killing disease were found at a second orchard.

MAF has now quarantined a second Bay of Plenty kiwifruit orchard over a suspected outbreak of the devastating disease Psa.

Labour's biosecurity spokesman says cuts to jobs and funding are behind the outbreak of the devastating kiwifruit disease Psa.

Kiwifruit disease researchers are trying to answer a crucial question - how long has Psa been here in New Zealand?

One option for containing the bacteria found on a kiwifruit orchard may be to rip out the infected vines and burn them, Zespri's head says.

Redback spiders could thrive in some areas of NZ, posing a real threat to native wildlife, a scientist says.

A kiwifruit disease found at a North Island orchard has the potential to upset trade but should not cause panic, the Biosecurity Minister says.

The kiwifruit industry faces a nervous wait as the threat of a disease never recorded in New Zealand hangs over a North Island orchard.

Orchardists growing gold kiwifruit may have had their hopes of bonanza returns this season dashed as they wait on confirmation that a vine-killing bacteria has arrived in NZ.