The single word “kiwi” refers simultaneously to a flightless bird, the people of New Zealand, and a fuzzy brown fruit. This ambiguity stems from a layered history involving a nickname and a marketing decision that connected these three distinct entities. The confusion often prompts the question of whether the people, known colloquially as Kiwis, actually consume the fruit that shares their name. This exploration resolves that question and details how each element came to share the same identity.
The Simple Answer
The straightforward answer to whether New Zealanders consume the fruit is yes. The kiwifruit is a major domestic product and a celebrated part of New Zealand’s agricultural economy. Kiwis regularly include the fruit in their diet, either fresh or as an ingredient.
The green kiwifruit variety, Actinidia deliciosa, is valued for its nutritional density. A single medium fruit is an excellent source of Vitamin C, often providing more than the daily requirement, along with Vitamin K and dietary fiber. This fiber and the enzyme actinidin aid digestive health. Since New Zealand is a major global producer, the fruit is widely available and affordable for local consumption.
How the Kiwifruit Got Its Name
The fruit is not native to New Zealand, originating in China, where it was historically known as mihoutao, or “macaque peach.” Seeds arrived in New Zealand in 1904, brought back by school principal Mary Isabel Fraser. Growers cultivated the fruit and, due to its taste resemblance to a common European berry, began calling it the Chinese Gooseberry.
This name became a problem for exporters shipping the fruit to the United States in the 1950s. During the Cold War era, the term “Chinese” carried negative commercial connotations in the American market. Additionally, the original name was subject to high import tariffs on berries and melons.
The New Zealand produce company, Turners and Growers, sought a more marketable name. On June 15, 1959, the name was officially changed to “kiwifruit” to capitalize on the country’s national symbol. The fuzzy, brown exterior of the fruit was thought to resemble the flightless bird, creating a strong marketing link to New Zealand’s identity. The rebranding was a success, leading to the fruit’s global recognition under its new name.
The Cultural Significance of the Kiwi Bird
The kiwi bird is the true originator of the name and the national symbol of New Zealand. This small, nocturnal, flightless creature is one of five species endemic only to the country. The bird has vestigial wings and a unique, shaggy coat of brown, hair-like feathers, which inspired the fruit’s renaming.
For the indigenous Māori people, the kiwi is a taonga, or spiritual treasure, and a symbol of cultural significance. The bird is considered under the protection of Tāne Mahuta, the god of the forest. Its feathers were historically used to weave ceremonial cloaks for high-ranking individuals. New Zealanders adopted the nickname “Kiwis” for themselves during the First World War, when soldiers were referred to by the name of their national emblem.
The bird is currently facing a severe threat from introduced mammalian predators like stoats and domestic dogs, causing wild populations to decline by an estimated 2% each year. This vulnerability has led to extensive conservation efforts, including predator control programs and fenced sanctuaries. These efforts aim to protect the estimated 70,000 kiwi remaining in the wild and solidify the bird’s status as a representation of the country’s unique natural heritage.