Kiwis are being urged not to be put off buying local strawberries after a needle was found in an Auckland Countdown.

The needle, which was found in a punnet of Australian strawberries, has caused concern for New Zealand growers who are about to start their season.

Strawberry Growers New Zealand's chief executive Michael Ahern says he hopes this doesn't put people of New Zealand strawberries.

"This is an Australian affair and we are frankly paying more attention to getting our own crop off in a normal fashion."

"We would understand there would be some concern among our consumers, which at this particular time is quite a big deal because we are on the brink of quite a good season."

He says MPI and the police have been notified and there is a heightened awareness of the issues, but right now farmers are just focusing on "doing a good, traditional job".

Ahern says New Zealand's strawberry business is very different to Australia.

"A lot of our growers are smaller family operations. They are hands-on operations. They have got staff who have been with them a long time."

"I think our people are very capable of doing the right job, through at least to retail level where frankly anything can happen." 

LISTEN ABOVE AS MICHAEL AHERN SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING