A Taieri man has hacked the supposed secret to growing sub-tropical kiwifruit in the South. Through hard graft, he has even managed to get Zespri International, the patent holders of the popular "SunGold Kiwifruit" to run a growing trial from his home. He has multiple kiwifruit plants fruiting at the moment, and it is all possible because of a microclimate that encompasses his property. East Taieri resident Harry Lagocki thins his SunGold kiwifruit, which have had spectacular success growing at his 2ha property. Photo: Stephen JaquieryAll significant kiwifruit growing stops at Nelson and the benefit of growing the fruit here was none of the diseases in the north were present in the soil, he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 20, 2026 19:39 UTC