Kiwi 360

Photo #1 of 2 . Swipe for more photos. Kiwi 360 The Kiwi360 logo device is the shape of a kiwifruit slice, made up of Maori canoe paddles (waka hoe). The inclusion of Waka Hoe symbolises the land's Maori heritage, the Mana Whenua of this land to the Tauranga Moana Iwi, and the orderly cooperation between peoples which has resulted in the success of our business. Photo copyright Kiwi 360.

Overview

'Kiwifruit Country' was established in 1987 to offer visitors to New Zealand a fascinating look into this furry brown berry and just how it has become so popular, and responsible for so much success.

We were also founded to celebrate the country within which the Kiwifruit has thrived.

Kiwi360 was purchased in 2003 by a consortium of Maori Kiwifruit Orchard Trusts, affiliated predominately to the Ngati Pukenga Iwi. Ngati Pukenga is a relatively small tribe and part of the larger Tauranga Moana Iwi. The land of which Kiwi360 rests historically belonged to Ngati Pukenga, so it as with immense pride and significance that they were able to reacquire the valuable property. Ngati Pukenga peoples are the tangata whenua of our precious Kiwi360 landscape. Individual members of the Tapsell family form part of the ownership consortium, and these owners are direct descendants of Hans Tapsell, the first European Trader to settle in Maketu.

In 2004, we became Kiwi360. A name change was a natural progression for the business, better reflecting our vision to become a hub of attractions and events at an international level. The use of 360 (degrees) speaks to our all-embracing focus on those things that make New Zealand special – our cultures, peoples, land, history and industry.

The Kiwi360 businesses are owned by members of the Crossman family. Various members of the family group compose every experienced management team, providing world-class service. Our staff is composed by talented people who share a passion for giving visitors top quality service, every time.

Visitors to our Te Puke attraction have had fun and been fascinated here in 'Kiwifruit Country' for decades, and we look forward to welcoming you to do the same.

A Brief History of Te Puke
Around 1350, the Te Arawa canoe landed at Maketu, after sailing from Hawaiki. The canoe was under the command of chief Tamatekapua, and he was responsible for many of the original place names of the area. Maori ventured up the rivers and streams and built many Pa in the area. The name Te Puke appears on maps as early as 1867, long before there was any significant European settlement on the site.

Captain James Cook, the first known European to visit the area, sailed between Motiti Island and the coast in 1769. This was his first voyage to New Zealand, but he did not land here. Cook named the area the Bay of Plenty as he observed that it was well populated and looked very fertile.

After the tribal wars began to ease in the 1840s, European settlers began to move to the area though not in great numbers. In 1876, James Fenton from Tauranga blazed a trail over the Papamoa saddle to Te Puke to bring surveyor Baber to the area. Before this, getting to Te Puke involved a difficult and dangerous sea journey or a tedious walk along the beach. The large swamplands around Te Puke were impassable and this kept the area from becoming settled.

However, as demand for land in the Tauranga area increased, the Tauranga Working Men's Land Association was formed in 1877. They petitioned the government for 3000 acres of land in Te Puke, and the first of these settlers arrived in 1879.

Explore our Te Puke location using our interactive Google map.

Ngati Pukenga
Kiwi360 , our great Bay of Plenty attraction, was purchased in 2003 by a consortium of Maori Kiwifruit Orchard Trusts, affiliated predominately to the Ngati Pukenga Iwi. Ngati Pukenga is a relatively small tribe and part of the larger Tauranga Moana Iwi. The land, on which Kiwi360 rests, historically belonged to Ngati Pukenga. It was with immense pride and significance that they were able to re-acquire the valuable property. Ngati Pukenga peoples are the tangata whenua of our precious Kiwi360 landscape. Individual members of the Tapsell family form part of the ownership consortium, and these owners are direct descendants of Hans Tapsell, the first European Trader to settle in Maketu.