KVH and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) have today formally agreed to continue to jointly manage wild kiwifruit plants in the Bay of Plenty region.

The agreement has a value for Council assistance of up to $1m in today’s dollars, over a 10-year term.

Wild kiwifruit plants establish through birds feeding on softened fruit and distributing seeds into nearby gullies or forestry blocks. Uncontrolled, the wild plants and vines can reduce the biodiversity value of native bush or the productive value of forestry. Wild vines can also host pests of kiwifruit, such as Psa, which left unmanaged, can multiply and harm commercial orchards.

The kiwifruit industry has partnered with BOPRC on wild kiwifruit plant management since 1998, and the partnership
is seen as an exemplar for how local government and industry can successfully work together on pest management. The BOPRC leads surveillance and mapping of wild kiwifruit plant infestations, while KVH – representing the kiwifruit industry – leads overall management and administration and has, with support from Zespri and other industry contributors, committed to contributing at least 1.5 times the dollar contribution from Council over the next decade.

Landowners are also an important partner in the programme and co-fund control of wild kiwifruit plants through the programme.

Read more on the KVH website about management of wild kiwifruit plants, and how KVH works with all regional councils in kiwifruit growing regions.

Image: Wild kiwifruit vines amongst pine trees in a Bay of Plenty forestry block.