Herald political columnist John Armstrong reports from Apec, where Prime Minister John Key has warned of the possibility of imminent "currency wars" if trade imbalances are not dealt with.

It was just another day at Zespri, until the phone rang and the jaw-dropping news came through.

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.

John Key has told his Japanese hosts at Apec that NZ only wants Japan at talks on a regional free trade agreement if agriculture is on the table.

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.

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

A round-up of information about the kiwifruit vine disease Psa.

The presence of the devastating kiwifruit disease Psa has been confirmed at a second kiwifruit orchard, and Zespri says it has received photos of potential symptoms of the bacterium at 43 orchards around the country.

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.