Wild kiwifruit can readily establish in any scrub, native bush or forestry block close to producing orchards.

Over winter, birds sometimes feed on the few fruit missed by the picking team and spread the seed into nearby areas, especially those within 200 to 400 metres of the orchard.

Kiwifruit seems to prefer an association with pines and will germinate in the needle cast. Contractors record the numbers of plants controlled in various locations, and there are routinely four to five times as many wild kiwifruit seedlings in a pine block compared to native bush. So, now is a good time to check that nearby forestry block for wild kiwifruit. The bright emergent leaves are usually quite visible right now.

KVH and all regional councils work together to ensure that wild kiwifruit is destroyed wherever it occurs. Please report infestations to your local regional council biosecurity officer, or to KVH. A photo, map location, or GPS coordinates are extra helpful.

Image: A heavy infestation of wild kiwifruit in a pine block and coming into leaf during spring. This infestation is scheduled for destruction.