Actinidia spp.

Wild kiwifruit

Also known as:

Chinese gooseberry

Family: Actinidiaceae

Origin: Asia

Wild Kiwifruit growing over plants in a gully.
Any kiwifruit plant that has taken hold outside of an orchard and is growing through native forest. A very fast growing plant that can smother native trees and block them from the light.
Photo credit: Holly Cox

Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status

  • Whole region — Progressive containment, land occupier rules
  • Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice pest

View more about the RPMP statuses

General description

Wild kiwifruit is here defined as the wild varieties of Actinidia spp. only. Vigorous, perennial, densely hairy vine. Shoots and petioles are reddish.

Leaves are large and broadly ovate. Flowers are large and white. Fruit is densely hairy, with brown skin and green flesh.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment:

  • You must control wild kiwifruit on the land you are occupying if it includes abandoned or former kiwifruit orchards.
  • You must not dispose of kiwifruit in a way that promotes the establishment of wild kiwifruit populations.

If you see wild kiwifruit anywhere in the Auckland region, please report it to Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Habitats

Forest, gullies, shelterbelts, scrubland.

Dispersal

Seeds dispersed by birds. Human-mediated dispersal through use as livestock feed and dropping fruit remains once eaten.

Impact on environment

Forms dense blankets, smothering vegetation. Host of Pseudomonas syringae pv. Actinidiae (PSA), a serious pathogen of commercial kiwifruit.

Control

Recommended approaches

Do not attempt to undertake control of this species. Please report to Auckland Council.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.