A superbug outbreak at Christchurch Hospital is linked to a larger cluster, in Auckland

Health NZ's confirmed there are up to 10 cases of Vancomycin-resistant enterococci - or VRE - confined to one ward at the hospital.

There are confirmed links to Auckland.

Staff have been put through briefings in relation to the infection - and posters have been put on walls, particularly around the respiratory ward.

Health NZ's Dr Sarah Berger says antibiotic resistance is a global problem, sometimes referred to as 'the silent pandemic'.

She says infection prevention measures, including deep cleans of wards and use of personal protective equipment, are in place.