General
kiwifruit
What does kiwifruit mean?
The furry brown-skinned fruit with green or gold flesh; never just called 'kiwi' in NZ to avoid confusion with the bird or people.
"Slice some kiwifruit onto the pav."
Origin
New Zealand marketing rename of the Chinese gooseberry in the 1950s-60s, after the native bird.
Frequently asked questions
Why do New Zealanders say kiwifruit and not kiwi?
In New Zealand 'kiwi' refers to the native bird or to a New Zealander, so the fruit is always called 'kiwifruit' to avoid confusion.
Where does the name kiwifruit come from?
It was a New Zealand marketing rename of the Chinese gooseberry in the 1950s-60s, named after the country's native kiwi bird because of the fuzzy brown skin.
Is kiwifruit originally from New Zealand?
The plant originated in China as the Chinese gooseberry, but New Zealand developed it commercially and gave it the kiwifruit name it's known by worldwide.
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