Turners & Growers kiwifruit orchards are not yet affected by the Psa bacterial vine disease which MAF biosecurity has confirmed is infecting a Te Puke kiwifruit orchard.

'There's no indication of this bacteria on any Turners & Growers orchards or any orchards growing ENZA kiwifruit varieties,” says Turners & Growers managing director Jeff Wesley.

'We understand all necessary precautions are being taken to mitigate any risk of spread and will be working with all parties to encourage best practice orchard hygiene while the investigation continues.”

Turners & Growers coined the name kiwifruit in 1959 as it worked to establish the export market for NZ-grown Chinese gooseberries in the United States.

Turners & Growers merged with ENZA, the former New Zealand Apple & Pear Marketing Board, in 2003.

Turners & Growers holds the global Intellectual Property Rights to ENZAGold, ENZARed and the regional rights to Summerkiwi.