Swiss needle cast caused by the needle-infecting ascomycete Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii is responsible for substantial growth loss in many New Zealand Douglas fir plantations. Data were collected in a provenance trial at age 13 years, when the introduced pathogen was extending its range throughout the country, in order to investigate variation in disease resistance or tolerance among a selection of the more vigorous Douglas fir seedlots. Infection was high and did not vary in incidence between seven provenances sampled at four North Island sites and one South Island site, but was still only negligible or absent at two other South Island sites. Foliage retention varied significantly between provenances and between sites, but there was no significant site × provenance interaction. Retention was less at the North Island sites, but showed more variation between provenances than at the South Island sites. However, South Island provenance rankings appeared to follow those in the infected North Island stands, implying that infection may act by accentuating natural differences in needle retention among host populations. Comparison with provenance growth data suggests that although foliage retention does not appear to relate directly to vigour, it is still a useful secondary character when selecting superior Douglas fir seed for regions subject to high infection.