The kiwi is a unique and curious bird: it cannot fly, has loose, hair-like feathers, strong legs and no tail. Learn more about the kiwi, the national icon of New Zealand and unofficial national emblem.
Kiwi are a symbol for the uniqueness of New Zealand wildlife and the value of our natural heritage. The Department of Conservation state the kiwi is a taonga (treasure) to Maori, who have strong cultural, spiritual and historic associations with kiwi.
Kiwi, New Zealand's national bird.
' Gooseberries not being the most popular fruit, in 1959 it was decided to change the name to kiwifruit, after New Zealand's national bird. Not many fruits are named after animals but, setting them side by side, they are both small, brown and fuzzy!
Despite their name, baby kiwis (aka mini kiwis, kiwi berries, kiwi grapes, cocktail kiwis, hardy kiwifruit, souris vegetale) are not actually immature conventional kiwis. Instead they are a variety of fuzz-free, grape-sized kiwi fruit with a striking emerald color occasionally tinged with red or yellow.
Lolly – whilst many countries use the word 'lolly' to describe a sweet that's on a stick, New Zealanders use it to describe all sweets!
Kiwi feathers, now woven into flax cloaks, are still valued. Māori also ate kiwi, preserving them in the birds' fat, and steaming them in a hāngī (earth oven).
The genus of Sophora, or Kowhai as we Kiwis know it, comprises around fifty species of trees and shrubs found in the tropics and the more temperate parts of North and South America, Asia, Australia and here in New Zealand.
"Kiwi" (/ˈkiːwi/ KEE-wee) is a common self-reference used by New Zealanders, though it is also used internationally. Unlike many demographic labels, its usage is not considered offensive; rather, it is generally viewed as a symbol of pride and affection for most people of New Zealand.
The early Maori settlers originally brought Kumara to New Zealand over one thousand years ago. It's also an incredibly versatile vegetable and something that most people enjoy eating – there aren't many Kiwis that would say no to kumara, whether it is roasted, mashed, steamed or fried!
New Zealand is one of the most unique destinations on Earth, where scenes of sweeping, verdant landscapes and pristine wilderness abound. In addition to its endless natural attractions, New Zealand is also known for its rich culture, friendly locals, and excellent food and wine.
Rugby union is the national sport in New Zealand. It has the largest spectator following of all sports in New Zealand. New Zealand's national rugby team, the All Blacks, has the best winning record of any national team in the world, and is currently ranked third in the world.
The name 'New Zealand' was attached to the islands a century before Cook's arrival, when Dutch cartographers renamed it after a region in the Netherlands called Zeeland.
Hunted for meat and for sport, and used as a motif in the decorative arts, the kangaroo was finally recognised as an official symbol of Australia when it was included on the nation's coat of arms in 1908.
New Zealanders, or "Kiwis" as they are called, have been shaped by their isolation. Today, most Kiwis are no longer farmers, with 86 percent of the population living in cities. More people live in the city of Auckland on North Island, than the whole population of South Island.
Kiwi (/ˈkiːwiː/ KEE-wee) are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand of the order Apterygiformes. The five extant species fall into the family Apterygidae (/ˌæptəˈrɪdʒədiː/) and genus Apteryx (/ˈæptərɪks/).
10/03/2023. Three things immediately come to mind when you hear the term “kiwi”: a hairy, flightless bird; a brown, fuzzy fruit with a green interior; and a native of New Zealand. However, just two of those pictures were genuinely taken on the Australian island that gave such names.
“Aotearoa” loosely translates from Maori as the “land of the long white cloud.” It is widely believed to be the name bestowed by the Polynesian navigator Kupe and has been used by Maori to refer to the country for decades, if not centuries, though the word's history is contested.
Pommy or pom
The terms pommy, pommie, and pom used in Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand usually denote a British person.
Kiwi (bird), a flightless bird native to New Zealand. Kiwi (nickname), an informal name for New Zealanders. Kiwifruit, an edible berry. Kiwi dollar or New Zealand dollar, a unit of currency.
The koru, which is often used in Māori art as a symbol of creation, is based on the shape of an unfurling fern frond. Its circular shape conveys the idea of perpetual movement, and its inward coil suggests a return to the point of origin.
Australia's national floral emblem is the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha Benth). When in flower, the golden wattle displays the national colours, green and gold. As one species of a large genus of flora growing across Australia, the golden wattle is a symbol of unity.
Introduced foods
Māori also began raising sheep, pigs, goats and poultry. Potatoes were easier to grow than kūmara, and pigs could be fattened quickly, so pork, pūhā and potatoes became a new staple meal. Called the 'boil-up', it remained popular in the 21st century.
Summary: Australia can no longer lay claim to the origins of the iconic New Zealand kiwi following new research showing the kiwi's closest relative is not the emu as was previously thought. Instead, the diminutive kiwi is most closely related to the extinct Madagascan elephant bird -- a 2-3 meter tall, 275 kg giant.
Gold kiwifruit, in contrast, has smooth, hairless skin that's a nice golden-brown color. Slicing the fruit in half reveals even more differences. Green kiwifruit has, as one would expect, a green flesh with black seeds. The flesh of our golden kiwifruit is a vibrant yellow color with a smaller core and fewer seeds.