All about Kiwi

The Kiwi fruit, that is, not the bird. Apparently there has been some confusion amongst some, who upon hearing there was some “kiwi tasting” on offer, were somewhat shocked that an endangered species might be offered on a plate… (Yes, I know 🙄 }

Here in Tauranga, the kiwi features large. In fact, as soon as we spotted it on our itinerary, we looked at one another and said “kiwi!” because on a previous visit with Edward, we took a ride around a plantation in a golf cart at a location called “World of Kiwi”.

It was another glorious morning and as we drove to our destination, the sun was shining on the historic Maori pā up on the hillside.

Though it's early Autumn here, of course.

Once at the kiwi plantation, we were introduced to our host, the owner Graeme Crossman, former All Black rugby player.

Graeme and his family now own and operate all of this kiwi farm and he proudly led us under the vines to explain about his business and the fruit he grows.

There, underneath the vines were a huge number of fruit hanging just around head height for most of us - many had to stoop slightly and a few were lucky enough to be able to stand beneath them comfortably.

These are golden kiwi, almost ready for harvest, we learned. During the last year, the blossoms on the vines had been pollinated by several million bees brought in for that purpose and throughout the growing season, care would be taken to remove any less than perfect fruit or vines in order to ensure that only the strongest and best could flourish.

The fruit here were larger than we see at home; aimed for the Asian market, said Graeme, where they would achieve the highest prices. He went on to explain about Zespri the grower-led marketing organisation here in New Zealand before continuing to show details of the growing process.

We saw how the bark on the stems had been cut twice a year to stop the sap returning to the roots and to encourage the fruiting. The cut soon heals over and no permanent damage is caused to the vine.

Once the harvest is over, the fruiting vines would be pruned and these upper vines, currently forming a kind of tent structure above them, would be brought down and trained ready for next year's fruiting.

All of this was really interesting and I've seldom seen a group so enthralled by a topic as straightforward as growing fruit! The thing is, it's clear than not only was Graeme proud of what they're doing here, he spoke with authority about a subject he knew inside out.

We didn't realise when we pulled up outside the Paengaroa Community Centre that we were about to meet most of Graeme's family in there too.

Grandaughter Isabelle was pouring tea, his wife was behind the counter and there were probably other members of the family I didn't get to meet. But the scone with cream and jam (Kiwi, of course!) was delicious and the tea was the best cup since I left home!

Here in the hall were a variety of products for sale too - mostly Kiwi related, but also plenty of Manuka honey as well. Trading was brisk!

There was also a chance to taste the products: here there were golden kiwi, the original green and a different, red variety, new this year.

But the longest queue of all was for the Phloe dietary supplements which Graeme had spoken about in relation to the health benefits of kiwi fruit!

Fortifed by tea and scones and with nothing but kiwi on our minds, we set off back through a surprisingly urban road network.

A quick stop at the Historic Village where they were preparing for a multi cultural weekend.

Then time to leave Tauranga. What a great place!

A small side story: As we left the bus, we chatted to our driver about how very much we'd enjoyed our morning and how enormously the kiwi business has grown since were were last here. “Oh yes”, he said, “Graeme and his family began with a small operation taking visitors around the vines in golf carts, with an octagonal visitor centre called World of Kiwi.”