New kiwifruit icon for Te Puke

The proposed kiwifruit icon. Photo/Supplied

A new kiwifruit icon is planned for the Te Puke township.

Te Puke Economic Development Group spokesman Mark Boyle released concept images today of a vision to have a large kiwifruit structure positioned at th Te Puke railway station complex.

It would be linked to a new retail store selling kiwifruit products, souvenirs and excursion tickets for kiwifruit tours.

The timing was perfect, Mr Boyle said.

"We have a firm expression of interest from an experienced retailer to set up a specialist kiwifruit shop in the township.

"The kiwifruit icon will be very prominent and an attractor for photographs and information about Te Puke, the kiwifruit industry and the broad range of activity in our district that has given us international prominence.

"Linking this to kiwifruit orchard tours will lift visitor spend, help our retailers and generally promote our value proposition of goodness grows here with the township as the kiwifruit capital of the world.

A number of factors make the plan feasible, he said.

"The town centre will soon be upgraded with improved aesthetics and functionality. The newly named Te Puke Highway offers an opportunity to attract visitors to Te Puke township. Our local retailers are now very well organised to promote their products and services and our Community Board are very supportive of initiatives to take the town forward."

The proposed kiwifruit icon. Photo/Supplied

The concept will be made possible by the support of the operator of the railway station complex, Mr Henry Phillips.

Mr Phillips had offered to provide space to locate the icon and he will support a new retail operation with commercially acceptable lease terms, Mr Boyle said.

The project would need the support of Council for consents and various other stakeholders but Mr Boyle was confident that the kiwifruit industry, business and the community at large will support the concept.