There seems to be no end in sight for a cattle disease that's swept New Zealand and prompted mass cullings, with authorities reporting infections in new areas.
The government in March ordered the killing of 22,000 cows to stop the spread of mycoplasma bovis across the country.
The disease was discovered for the first time in New Zealand last July and has serious animal welfare implications - including causing abortions, pneumonia and arthritis.
It poses no risk to humans, food or milk safety.
Although authorities have put up extensive quarantines to stop cattle moving from the dozens of infected farms, the Ministry for Primary Industries on Wednesday revealed the disease had been discovered in north Canterbury - in the South Island - for the first time.
It said the reports would likely not be the last.
"There are a number of farms in the North and South Islands under quarantine while testing is under way and it is very possible that more infected farms will be found."
However, incident controller Catherine Duthie said the new incidents didn't mean the disease was spreading or quarantines had failed.
"Rather, the new finds are the result of our tracing uncovering historical movements of animals and then confirming the infection through testing," she said.
"These movements, in many cases, took place before we even knew mycoplasma bovis was in the country."
The latest report brings the total number of infected properties to 36 and more than 7500 cows have been culled so far.
Meanwhile, some farmers and the opposition have criticised the time taken for the government to approve compensation payouts from a $NZ60 million ($A56 million) fund, although the ministry says the process needs to be rigorous.
Australia has provided New Zealand with laboratory staff and epidemiologists as part of the response.
