Te Puke is known as the ‘Kiwifruit capital of the world’, on Wednesday 15 June, the town celebrated the 57th birthday of the kiwifruit.
Back in 1904 when the first kiwifruit seeds were brought to New Zealand from China, the fruit was known by the Chinese name, yang tao, New Zealanders called the furry fruits Chinese gooseberries. In 1959, at a Turner and Grower conference, the decision was made to change the name of the fruit as New Zealand growers were preparing to export the fruit to North America. They needed a name that would help establish the new fruit on the worldwide market. So the name of the fruit Chinese gooseberries was changed again. Jack Turner came up with the name kiwifruit, after New Zealand’s national bird, the kiwi – small brown, and furry like the fruit.
Ray White Te Puke are one of the main sponsors for the 57th birthday of the kiwifruit festival week 13 – 18 June. The main event being the mystery shop and win, shop at any of the 24 participating local businesses with the chance to win mystery presents from Kiwi. Ray White Te Puke’s vendors and purchasers all went into the draw to win a mystery prize, with a bonus entry for any vendor who booked vendor funded advertising. Rochelle Carter, Ray White Te Puke business owner, said, ‘The celebration of the kiwifruit birthday is a great opportunity for us to give back to our local community. Our mystery prize was drawn on Friday evening, we were very excited to share the news with one of our lucky clients.’
A full list of festivities can be found on the Shop Te Puke Kiwifruit Birthday Facebook page, events include; kiwi beverage tasting at the local Super Liquor, Molly O’Connors host a Pickers & Packers party with kiwifruit cocktails, and mystery Kiwi author visits the local Paper Plus.
Pop in and see the team at Ray White Te Puke at 175 Jellicoe Street or visit their local website rwtepuke.co.nz.