Pea, lentil, dwarf and broad bean crops were each monitored over two seasons for virus infection using sample surveys, ELISA, and indicator hosts to estimate disease incidence. The incidence of individual viruses in most crops was usually < 11%, exceptions include cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in lentils and alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) in broad beans. Multiple virus infections were detected in 55–100% of pea, lentil, and broad bean crops. Soybean dwarf virus (SDV), beet western yellows virus (BWYV), pea seed‐borne mosaic (PSbMV), and CMV were the most common aphid‐borne or seed‐transmitted viruses detected. AMV, CMV, BWYV, bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), and PSbMV were recorded from lentil and CMV and PSbMV from broad beans for the first time in New Zealand. Survey results are presented and their implications are discussed.