A cruise ship is being held off the coast of New Zealand with at least one suspected case of coronavirus on board.

Three passengers on the Golden Princess cruise berthed have been quarantined by the ship's doctor.

One of the three has developed symptoms of Covid-19 and is being treated as a suspected case, the Canterbury District Health Board says.

The person is being tested with their results due tomorrow.

The ship arrived in Akaroa Harbour this morning.

Canterbury DHB medical officer of health Dr Ramon Pink said the public health team was taking a precautionary approach.

All three passengers were in quarantine, and the cruise ship company had been very cooperative, Pink said.

"We realise this is disappointing news for other passengers and tourism/hospitality operators in Akaroa and Canterbury who were expecting to host the passengers today.

"We cannot risk the potential further spread if this person tests positive.

"Two of the three people isolated have been in contact with a confirmed case in the past 14 days."

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On Saturday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced all cruise ships would be banned from coming to New Zealand until June 30.

It's not clear if the ban would have applied to the Golden Princess, which would have been en route to Akaroa when the restrictions were announced.

New Zealand currently has six cases of the disease, with all those infected at home in self-isolation. Only one required hospital treatment so far.