The kiwifruit capital of New Zealand is getting ready to celebrate a major milestone. It’s 65 years since the fruit that’s become synonymous with New Zealand was given its now world-famous name.

“We’re very excited about this,” says Sally Benning from EPIC Te Puke.

“Many people don’t know that it was the late Jack Turner from Turner and Growers who renamed the Chinese gooseberry to the kiwifruit to improve marketing.

“The rebranding not only made the fruit feel distinctly ours but also positioned New Zealand as the primary grower of kiwifruit, cementing our connection to what is now an agricultural success story.”

EPIC Te Puke is hosting a grand celebration on August 31 at Te Puke War Memorial Hall.

“We’re so grateful to our sponsors that are supporting the event,” says Sally.

“We’re now opening up the rest of the seats to individuals. It’s a great opportunity to get groups of friends or businesses to buy a table for a great night of entertainment and networking.”

The evening features MC Ben Hurley as well as a light-hearted Q&A session with a panel from BOP Young Growers and a skit from Te Puke Repertory Society.

Tickets are $120 each or $1000 for a table of 10 from Paper Plus Te Puke which includes a continuous supper and a complimentary drink.

Don't miss out on what promises to be the biggest celebration of the year.

The event is proudly supported by Zespri, Bennetts Proactive, EastPack, West Coast Management, Seeka, Hume Pack-N-Cool, Kiwi Pollen, EHC, Pivot Horticulture and Trevelyan's Pack & Cool.