Ministry for Primary Industries staff have removed a backyard kiwifruit orchard grown in an Auckland suburb from illegally imported seeds.
The ministry says the orchard was planted in 1999 from seeds brought into the country in a container of household goods.
Spokesperson Katherine Clift says tests have shown the 100 plants do not carry any serious viruses, bacteria or fungi.
Dr Clift says a staff member was alerted to the backyard orchard last year, when they were asked about a retrospective import permit.
