Kiwifruit
'People will choose to go hungry rather than work in a packhouse'
The Bay of Plenty kiwifruit industry has reached the limit of willing local workers and paying staff more won't make a difference, a packhouse manager says. Audio
Perfect storm hits NZ fruit industry
A massive shortage of seasonal labour that affected this year's apple harvest is now flowing on to kiwifruit. As that crop hits its peak harvesting time, they're short of over a thousand workers for… Audio
Bio-plastic fantastic
Fruit and vegetable growers and other primary producers are looking with new eyes at the waste they produce. Now paua shells, flax, waste from grapes and kiwifruit can be used as ingredients in… Audio, Gallery
Authorities did all they could on PSA risk - MPI lawyer
The authority in charge of border biosecurity was not able to check every item crossing New Zealand's border, the High Court in Wellington has been told.
New tech simplifies DNA sequencing for primary sector
Improvements to DNA sequencing technology will be able to help researchers solve genetic problems faster in animals, plants and other organisms, a Palmerston North scientist says.
Taking on the Giant
The giant willow aphid is infesting willows, apple and pear trees, some native trees and shelterbelts on some kiwifruit orchards. Entomologist Stephanie Sopow is heading to the United States to search… Audio
Kiwifruit growers open case against MPI over PSA in court
Kiwifruit growers are arguing the MPI failed to protect them from known biosecurity risks, and should never have let the vine killing disease PSA slip into the country. Audio
Kiwifruit growers' PSA case against MPI begins
A group of growers is suing the Ministry for Primary Industries for negligence over the vine-killing disease's entry to the country in 2010.
PSA class action heads to Wellington High Court
A group made up of more than 200 Kiwifruit growers, suing the government for negligence over the way it handled the PSA outbreak, head to court today, in a multi-million dollar class action. The group… Audio
Kiwifruit contractors 'cashing in on labour shortage'
A Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower is angry at the industry and says not enough is being done to stop contractors capitalising on the shortage of workers.
Half of audited kiwifruit companies underpaid workers
At least half of the kiwifruit contractors who have been audited in the Bay of Plenty have failed to provide employment contracts or pay the minimum wage, an MBIE investigation has found.
Iwi Fruit
Māori kiwifruit growers will now have a collective voice in the industry and hopefully soon some seats at the Zespri table thanks to the new Māori Kiwifruit Growers' Forum. It's a sign of good things… Audio
Golden kiwifruit will drive industry expansion - report
The popularity of golden kiwifruit is predicted to drive growth in the industry in the coming decades, a report says.
Kiwifruit outlook strong and highlights importance to economy
The outlook for the kiwifruit sector is strong with more produce, jobs and global demand. Audio
Zespri more than doubles full-year profit
Zespri has more than doubled its full-year net profit despite a challenging season for green varieties of kiwifruit.
Kiwifruit sales to Japan up by almost a third in two seasons
Zespri's sales to Japan have grown by 30 percent in the past two seasons, with the Japanese kiwifruit market worth about $500 million last season.
Family Fruit
Kiwifruit and avocados grow particularly well in Northland. Now the Malley family of Maungatapere is adding raspberries, blackberries and figs to the mix. Audio, Gallery
Māori land owners make $30m maize-to-kiwifruit move
The single largest kiwifruit investment ever to be made on Māori land began this week.
Illegal Zespri plantings in China spark investigation
Police are investigating a possible breach of Zespri's intellectual property rights after kiwifruit varieties were transferred and planted in China illegally.
Zespri Expands in Europe
Zespri will allow another 1800 hectares of its SunGold kiwifruit to be grown under license in Europe. Audio