Microbiologists say a new super bug resistant to nearly all antibiotics is spreading here posing an urgent and serious threat.

LISTEN ABOVE: Dr Joshua Freeman speaks to Larry Williams

Most patients here, with what's known as CPE, acquired it while overseas especially from high-prevalence countries in the Indian subcontinent.

Writing in the New Zealand Medical Journal, specialist in clinical microbiology Dr Joshua Freeman said CPE can cause serious infection in hospitalised patients.

He said especially those who have undergone procedures such as transplants and cancer treatments reliant on antibiotics.

Dr Freeman said CPE is more resistant to antibiotics than other so-called super bugs and causes common infections in hospitalised patients.

He said most carriers of the bug acquired it overseas, but there are now several cases of probable secondary spread in hospitals.

"The way to address that is to try to identify people who may be carrying this and put in place several measures to try and prevent further spread. Now, people who carry this may not carry it forever they may just carry it for about three to six months."

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Veterinary Association is joining the fight in tackling the issue of antimicrobial resistance.

Chief executive Mark Ward said their goal is to stop using antibiotics for the maintenance of animal health and welfare by 2030.

He said New Zealand has some of the lowest rates of antibiotic use in animals for food production in the world.

And he believes New Zealand could increase the value of its exports with reduced-antibiotic livestock systems and scientific innovations.