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.

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.

A probe into the escape of genetically engineered plants from a government laboratory found scientists had left routes open.

A teenager has been sent to prison for three months after smuggling two small snakes into the country in his pants.

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

Australian pipfruit bodies are still questioning the safety of NZ apples, despite a WTO interim report apparently indicating a win for local growers.

NZ's apple growers have reportedly won a victory in their battle to sell fruit in Australia but the industry is not expecting benefits any time soon.