A kiwifruit orchard in Whangarei has tested positive for the vine-killing disease PSA.
It's the first positive test to come from the region which is made up of around 50 orchards.
PSA has been in the country for at least four years and is spread by weather events, plant material and by footwear, orchard tools and vehicles.
Kiwifruit Vine Health chief executive, Barry O'Neil, says it's hugely disappointing.
"All the growing regions in the North Island now have been identified with PSA so now we only have one growing region in the South Island that doesn't have PSA," he says.
Mr O'Neil says the positive test doesn't affect kiwifruit quality, meaning consumers are unaffected.
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