Story: Weeds of the bush

Wild kiwifruit

Wild kiwifruit

Most New Zealanders would not consider kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) a weed. Here it is growing wild (middle distance) on a stream bank in the Bay of Plenty. Originating in China, seeds were first introduced in 1904, and large-scale commercial farming began in the 1970s. It took some 50 years from its arrival in the country for kiwifruit to appear in the wild, and since the late 1970s increasing numbers of plants have been recorded. The worst area for infestation is Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty, where it was intensively cultivated. The regional council is controlling it.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10040129
Photograph by Paul Barry Cashmere

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How to cite this page:

Bob Brockie, 'Weeds of the bush - More vines and scramblers', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13627/wild-kiwifruit (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Bob Brockie, published 24 Sep 2007, updated 18 Apr 2016