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New Zealand's health ministry is investigating whether three touring Pakistan cricketers were infectious when they produced positive tests to COVID-19.

Three more members of the touring Pakistan cricket party have returned positive tests to COVID-19, according to New Zealand's health ministry.

In a significant setback to the Pakistan's hopes of a competitive series against the Black Caps, the latest cases mean 10 of the 53-strong group have tested positive for coronavirus since arriving in New Zealand last month.

Pakistan's players and staff are completing a fortnight in isolation, as is compulsory on arrival in New Zealand, in a Christchurch hotel.

The COVID-19 cases mean none of the group have received permission to leave their hotel to train.

The touring party has also earned rebukes from health officials for breaching NZ's strict quarantine rules by mingling in their hotels.

On Monday, the 46 members of the squad to have previously tested negative to COVID-19 were re-tested.

Health authorities said 42 returned another negative test result but three were under investigation "to determine whether they are historical cases" - and therefore not infectious - and one result was pending.

A Ministry of Health spokeswoman clarified the three had returned positive PCR tests.

Pakistan's tour of three T20s and two Tests is due to begin with a short-form clash against the Black Caps at Auckland's Eden Park on December 18.