The Government has introduced a new support package for North Island kiwifruit growers affected by the PSA-V disease.
Primary Industries Minister David Carter has declared PSA a medium-scale biosecurity event, which means growers get more help to deal with the impacts of the vine-killing disease.
The package includes Rural Assistance Payments for growers suffering extreme hardship, one-on-one help from recovery coordinators, and support with technology transfer and advice.
Mr Carter says assistance is needed to introduce orchard management changes and to make the right business decisions.
More than 2000 kiwifruit orchards have been affected since the disease was first detected just over two years ago.
