The PSA vine disease has now infected almost 1600 orchards, covering more than half the country's kiwifruit growing land in at least four regions.
The cost to the industry is now predicted to climb to well above $1 billion.
Kiwifruit Vine Health Waikato co-ordinator Richard Glenn says he's had vines tested three times after one of the PSA symptoms - spotting - appeared on leaves.
He's relieved that the results have been negative so far.
But Mr Glenn says the way the disease is spreading into new areas and the threat to their livelihoods is putting growers under huge stress.
