Mr Key told the Bay of Plenty Times that he considered it "hugely important" that the next generation had the opportunity to learn languages.
Later he visited the Titanium Industry Development Association in Poike, and visited Mr Muller's new offices in Tauranga, before heading to the Mount for a private lunch with Zespri senior management.
He then met with Zespri staff as well as senior representatives of post-harvest, growers and industry organisations.
Zespri chairman Peter McBride said it was an opportunity to show the Prime Minister how far the industry had come since Psa was first discovered in New Zealand in 2010.
"It's hard to recall now just how uncertain and dark those days were, when we simply did not know how the industry could continue with Psa. What was in no doubt however was the support of the Government. Within days of Psa's discovery in New Zealand the Government had committed $25 million - matched dollar for dollar by industry - for R&D into managing the disease and grower support"
Mr McBride said now volumes of kiwifruit were back to pre-Psa levels, grower returns were strong, and orchard prices were back to and in some cases surpassing pre-Psa values, "and our new higher value gold variety Zespri SunGold (Gold3) is proving itself in the orchard and in the market".
Mr McBride presented the PM with a kiwifruit carving on behalf of the industry as a token of gratitude for the Government's support.
The PM took time to talk with industry representatives including Mike Chapman, chief executive of the Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated who introduced him to a local kiwifruit worker from Vanuatu, Jimmy Iata.
Together with Mr Iata, Mr Chapman and Zespri were about to launch a fundraising initiative to assist Vanuatu in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam. T
he goal was to reach $100,000 said Mr Chapman and this would be boosted at the end of the week by a significant investment from Zespri.
"There are around 500 kiwifruit workers from Vanuatu in the Bay of Plenty," Mr Chapman told the Bay of Plenty Times.
"This is so significant that we really wanted to put our heads together in the industry to see what we can do ... and we will be tracking how the funds are used too to make sure they are used for things like community support, water supply, and the coffee crop."
Mr Key also had the chance to sample the new red kiwifruit variety which was in the early stages of development and which was being trialed by consumers. Mr Chapman said it was being tested for taste, look, how it maintains taste, storage, and resistance.
And Mr Key's verdict?
"It's great that you've got all these colours of kiwifruit but you're disappointing me that there's no blue. If you can produce that, I will take it to the National Party Conference."
Yes Minister:
John Key was asked a number of questions by children at Oropi School yesterday morning.
Are you going bald? Ah no, luckily.
Do you have fancy stuff in your house? Well, some.
Have you been on the luge? Yes, but it is scary going around the corners. My son Max always beats me.
Other questions included why did Mr Key want to change the flag and was it difficult making important decisions.
