A groundbreaking scientific partnership between China and New Zealand is revolutionizing the global kiwifruit industry through shared genetic resources and advanced cultivation technologies. At the forefront of this collaboration is Sarah Pilkington, a leading kiwifruit scientist at New Zealand’s state Bioeconomy Science Institute in Auckland, whose work demonstrates the powerful synergy between the fruit’s Chinese origins and New Zealand’s agricultural innovation.
Pilkington emphasizes the fundamental Chinese heritage of all modern kiwifruit varieties, noting that access to China’s rich germplasm resources has been instrumental to her research. “Kiwifruit originated in China—any kiwifruit that exists around the world is from China,” she stated, highlighting the importance of preserving the fruit’s genetic diversity for future generations.
The scientist leads a specialized team utilizing cutting-edge molecular technologies to develop new kiwifruit cultivars at the Plant and Food Research group, part of the newly formed Bioeconomy Science Institute. This innovative institution emerged from a merger of four organizations earlier in 2025, combining expertise across plant and animal systems, advanced manufacturing, agritech, biotechnology, and food science sectors.
The collaboration represents a model of international scientific cooperation where China provides the foundational genetic material while New Zealand contributes technological advancement capabilities. This symbiotic relationship ensures the protection of kiwifruit biodiversity while simultaneously driving commercial innovation in horticultural science.
Beyond laboratory research, the partnership has significant implications for global food security and sustainable agriculture practices. The exchange of knowledge and resources between the two nations is creating more resilient kiwifruit varieties capable of withstanding climate challenges and meeting evolving market demands worldwide.
The scientific alliance forms part of broader agricultural exchanges between China and New Zealand, reflecting deepening bilateral ties in research and development that benefit both nations’ agricultural sectors and the global kiwifruit industry.