In this paper, we propose a new approach to analyse the stability of a general family of nonlinear positive discrete time-delay systems. First, we introduce a new class of nonlinear positive discrete time-delay systems, which generalises some existing discrete time-delay systems. Second, through a new technique that relies on the comparison and mathematical induction method, we establish explicit criteria for stability and instability of the systems. Three numerical examples are given to illustrate the feasibility of the obtained results.