The term “kiwi” refers to three distinct things: a fruit, a flightless bird, and the people of New Zealand. The question of whether “kiwis” are in Australia requires separating these interpretations. This ambiguity stems from the close geographical and cultural connection between Australia and New Zealand. This article clarifies the presence and status of the fruit, the bird, and the population of New Zealanders in Australia.
Cultivation and Availability of the Kiwi Fruit
The kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa) is widely available in Australian grocery stores year-round. Australia is a significant net importer of the product. The majority of kiwi fruit consumed, often between 20,000 and 24,000 tonnes annually, is imported, primarily from New Zealand.
Local production exists but provides a smaller volume of the overall supply. Australian kiwi fruit is mainly grown in the southern states, with the Goulburn Valley region in Victoria being a major production area. Smaller volumes are also cultivated in New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia.
The Australian-grown fruit typically enters the market between March and August, supplementing the continuous supply provided by imports. Australia exports small quantities of its locally grown kiwi fruit, mostly to Asian markets like Thailand and Indonesia. This blend of local cultivation and high import volume ensures the fruit is a constant presence for consumers.
The Kiwi Bird’s Endemic Status
The kiwi bird (Apteryx species) is a small, nocturnal, and flightless bird that is strictly endemic to New Zealand. The five recognized species are native only to New Zealand and are not naturally found in the Australian environment. The bird’s evolution occurred in the absence of terrestrial mammals, allowing it to occupy an ecological niche typically filled by mammals elsewhere.
Kiwi are classified as ratites, a group of flightless birds that includes the emu and cassowary found in Australia. The kiwi’s isolated evolutionary path resulted in distinct biological characteristics, such as nostrils at the tip of its long beak and tiny, vestigial wings. The Australian continent lacks the specific habitat necessary for kiwi to thrive in the wild.
Any kiwi birds present in Australia are exclusively held in controlled environments such as zoos or specialized conservation centers. These institutions maintain the birds for display, education, or captive breeding programs. They do not represent a wild or naturalized population, existing in Australia only under human care.
New Zealanders Living in Australia
The term “Kiwis” is a common nickname for the people of New Zealand, who represent a significant demographic in Australia. As of June 2024, the New Zealand-born population residing in Australia was estimated to be approximately 618,000 people. This community makes New Zealanders the fourth largest overseas-born population group in Australia.
This large population is facilitated by the historical Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement (TTTA), which allows for the free movement of citizens between the two countries. Since 1973, New Zealand citizens have been able to enter and live in Australia indefinitely on a Special Category Visa (SCV). This arrangement highlights the close cultural and economic ties often referred to as the “Trans-Tasman” relationship.
The ease of movement, combined with economic factors, has led many New Zealanders to migrate, resulting in a community deeply integrated into Australian society. The SCV allows holders to live and work, and recent policy changes have introduced pathways for long-term residents to apply for Australian citizenship. Their presence is particularly noticeable in states like Queensland and New South Wales, which host the largest numbers of this expatriate community.