New Zealand kiwifruit

New Zealand kiwifruit

　　Becoming a millionaire by growing kiwifruit The Bay of Plenty region on the North Island enjoys abundant sunshine, a warm climate, and fertile soil, making it a rich producer of various fruits. The main city of Tauranga and the town of Te Puke are the center of New Zealand’s kiwifruit cultivation. Te Puke alone produces 70% of New Zealand’s kiwifruit, earning it the title "Kiwifruit Capital." New Zealand successfully introduced kiwifruit from China in 1906, with the most thriving cultivation taking place in the Bay of Plenty.

　　　　In the 1970s and early 1980s, many local farmers became millionaires by growing just two to three hectares of kiwifruit, making Te Puke the wealthiest small town in the country. An annual grand kiwifruit celebration is held here every September, featuring events such as the election of the Kiwifruit Queen and the Kiwifruit Expo. “Kiwifruit 360” transforms orchards into a tourist park Te Puke is located about 28 kilometers southeast of Tauranga, with a population of around 6,800. Nearby, there is a kiwifruit-themed park called “Kiwifruit 360,” which is open to the public as a tourist attraction. It was originally established in 1987 as the “Kiwifruit Country.”

　　　　In 2003, a Māori kiwifruit trust purchased it, renamed it to its current title, and expanded the park’s sightseeing operations into a cultural exhibition center that showcases New Zealand’s people, land, history, and culture, as well as a venue for hosting events. A prominent feature at the entrance of the park is a giant structure shaped like a sliced kiwifruit, reportedly built from the paddle of a Māori canoe, symbolizing Māori ownership of the park. (Note: New Zealanders refer to their produced kiwifruit as Kiwifruit to promote international market access, which was later translated into Chinese as “奇异果” or “kiwifruit.”)

　　　　How New Zealanders grow kiwifruit The park spans 13.5 acres and grows traditional high-quality kiwifruit varieties such as “Hayward,” as well as new golden-fleshed varieties like “Gold Kiwifruit.” There are also approximately 50 types of fruit and nut trees.