The nutritional and health benefits of kiwifruit are under the spotlight in Tauranga this week at the First International Symposium on Kiwifruit and Health.

The symposium, which begins today and runs until Thursday, brings together global health influencers including researchers, academics, health professionals and international health media.

The focus of the symposium, hosted by the Riddet Institute - one of New Zealand's National Centres of Research Excellence, and sponsored by Zespri International, is to discuss the nutritional and health benefits of kiwifruit, based on the latest research.

Up to 200 people from New Zealand and around the world, will hear from a number of speakers. Hot topics include nutrient richness of kiwifruit, digestive health benefits of kiwifruit through the properties of fibre and actinidin, kiwifruit's vitamin C health benefits, and kiwifruit and metabolic health.

Eighty per cent of New Zealand's kiwifruit exports are grown in the Bay of Plenty and the health symposium will put the region on the map for kiwifruit research as well as production.

The Symposium programme includes open sessions with guest speakers, case presentations and panel discussions with active participation from the audience.

Among the key note speakers will be Professor Jaap Seidell, a Professor of Nutrition and Health and Director of the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Amsterdam, who is an eminent researcher with expertise across diet, healthy nutrition and the causes and effects which contribute to weight gain and obesity.

Todd Muller, MP for the Bay of Plenty, says the symposium will reinforce the status of the Bay of Plenty as the capital for kiwifruit production but also a key area in terms of kiwifruit research.

'Research and exposure for the industry can only mean good things for our region. The kiwifruit industry employs 6,000 Bay of Plenty locals so it's great to see we're looking towards a record breaking harvest for this year.

'The turnaround of the industry after the devastating effects of the vine disease Psa-V is as a result of the investment in research and development and it is a testament to the key players in the industry,” says Todd.

The Symposium takes place at Tauranga's ASB Arena and will conclude on Thursday.