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.

Public service job numbers have continued to fall.

The SSC has toughened its code of conduct for public servants with more prescriptive rules around political activities and potential conflicts of interest.

The Ministry of Justice is "extremely disappointed" at the Public Service Association's (PSA) rejection of a pay offer.

More than 2700 hospital service workers around the country will strike this Friday over stalled wage negotiations.