How to Grow Kiwifruit in NZ: When to Plant, Prune and Pick

Updated October 2026

A New Zealand icon and a vigorous deciduous vine that needs a very strong pergola or T-bar trellis. Plant in winter while dormant and grow one male for up to eight females unless you choose a self-fertile type. Shelter from wind, feed well and prune hard in winter.

What it looks like as it grows

🌱 Plant profile: Kiwifruit, with sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.

When to Plant Kiwifruit in Your Region

Kiwifruit vines are planted in winter while they are dormant. These are the planting months for each of our nine New Zealand regions, straight from our planting data. Each region links to its vegetable planting calendar, and the Kiwifruit plant page has spacing, companions and care notes for your region.

From Northland to Otago and Southland, our data plants kiwifruit vines from June to August. Central Otago is the exception: frosts there run into November and burn the new shoots, and the frost free season is too short to ripen the fruit, so we do not recommend kiwifruit outdoors there. Frost also hits new growth elsewhere, so give young vines shelter. Our frost dates page has the average last frost for each region.

Best kiwifruit varieties for NZ

• Hayward, The classic green fuzzy kiwifruit, the standard backyard female vine, needs a male pollinator. (Waimea Nurseries, garden centres)
• Bruno, Heavy-cropping green variety, vigorous, needs a male pollinator. (garden centres)
• Tomuri (male), Late-flowering male pollinator that matches Hayward, one male serves several females. (Waimea Nurseries)

How to grow kiwifruit

• Space vines about 400cm apart.
• Plant a named female vine with a male pollinator on a strong frame.
• Position: full sun.
• Expect the first good crop about two years after planting.

Male and Female Kiwifruit Vines

Most kiwifruit need a male and a female vine to fruit, because the vines need cross-pollination between the sexes and bees to carry the pollen. Only the female vine bears fruit. One male serves several females, so plant one male, such as Tomuri, which flowers late to match Hayward, for up to eight females unless you choose a self-fertile type. Plant the male close to the females so bees move between them.

How to Plant a Kiwifruit Vine

1. Build a very strong support first, such as a pergola or a T-bar trellis, because the vines are vigorous and heavy.
2. Choose full sun and deep, fertile, free-draining soil, sheltered from wind.
3. Plant in winter while the vines are dormant, about 4 metres apart.
4. Water deeply and regularly, as the vines are thirsty, and mulch well.
5. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in the growing flush.

Pruning Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit grow fast, so they need pruning in both winter and summer to manage the growth. Prune hard in winter while the vine is dormant, and cut back the vigorous summer shoots to keep the vine on its frame. Our pruning fruit trees guide covers the tools and cuts.

When to Pick Kiwifruit in NZ

Our plant data allows about two years from planting to a good crop and puts the harvest from March to May. Pick when the fruit is full sized and the seeds inside have turned black. Twist the fruit gently from the vine while it is still firm, then ripen it indoors until it yields to a soft press. Kiwifruit keep for 2 to 4 weeks in the fridge, and sliced fruit freezes for months. A mature vine gives a large crop.

Can You Grow Kiwifruit in a Pot?

Our plant data rates kiwifruit as only partly suited to containers. It needs a pot of at least 50 cm and a strong trellis, and you still need a male and a female vine, so a pot works best for a keen grower with a sunny deck rather than as a small-space crop.

Companion planting

Grow kiwifruit near: Comfrey, Nasturtium, Marigold.

Pests and problems

Watch for: Passionvine hopper, Scale, Leafroller, Birds. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.