Our Story
Forty years of one renegade breeder.
A uniquely New Zealand–Chinese story — about how careful, independent breeding and the Maritime Silk Road connect a remote island paradise to the rest of the world.
A uniquely New Zealand–Chinese story — about how careful, independent breeding and the Maritime Silk Road connect a remote island paradise to the rest of the world.
Deliberately independent of the government-funded Zespri programme, Don Skelton bred more kiwifruit varieties than any other New Zealander — and is regarded as one of the country's pre-eminent breeders. In the 1960s he buys 100 acres in the Bay of Plenty and sets out to breed early-season maturing fruit against the grain of regulation.
On 1 January 2018, SNZI acquires the worldwide rights to some 42 Skelton varieties. A technical analysis follows; 14 varieties are eliminated as inappropriate for further development. Don continued until his death in 2024 to provide assistance and support, ensuring his knowledge was not lost in the ownership transition.
In 2025 SNZI appointed Peter Nicholson our technical consultant. Based in South Africa kiwifruit growing is in his blood with his father a pioneer in growing green kiwifruit and Pete with 20+ years of growing kiwifruit.
A condensed chronology of how the Skelton breeding programme reached the global growers we work with today.
Don Skelton purchases 100 acres in the Bay of Plenty. Early breeding work produces the “Skelton” and “Merle” varieties, which flower and mature earlier than Hayward.
Expansion into properties at Waiuku. Through the decade, exports begin under handpicking regulations.
Skelton sells varieties to Turners and Growers (ENZA Gold) and Bostock (KIWIKISS), opening Asian markets for New Zealand kiwifruit.
SNZI acquires the worldwide rights to 42 Skelton varieties. A technical analysis follows; 14 varieties are eliminated as inappropriate for further development.
South African territorial rights sold to a local growers' consortium. Italian and Peruvian trials begin; plant material imported to South Korea.
Skelton South Africa rebrands as Sunveld Kiwifruit and is appointed SNZI's agent for Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. H14 enters USA quarantine and patent application.
Rather than manage issues with previous arrangements from afar, SNZI sold the South African territorial rights to a consortium of growers with local PVR ownership. The relationship has flourished — and gives SNZI access to a decade of technical knowledge when new markets are developed.
By the end of their 2021 season the partner — since rebranded Sunveld Kiwifruit — had 350 ha under licence, export volumes up 89% year on year, and early growers receiving FOB pricing up to US$4/kg. H14 drew a very good response on first export to Singapore, Spain and the UK.
Sino-NZ is perhaps New Zealand's most significant export channel for New Zealand agricultural products into the Chinese market, with its greatest presence in Central and Southwestern China.
The network has been built over more than two decades of direct relationships at the highest level of Chinese industry — relationships that translate into real access for the growers and licensees who work with SNZI.
More about our China Network →A small senior team with deep roots in New Zealand business, Chinese commerce, and the global kiwifruit trade.
Over 30 years' experience in business development, product management and large marketing development teams. Prior roles include partner at Alternate Instinct, IT project chair, Waitakere City Council Director, FM radio co-founder, financial controller at Radio Hauraki, and founder of New Zealand's first contract accounting business.
allan@snzi.kiwi →
Distinguished business strategist with nearly two decades' expertise in industries planning, estate planning, city planning, business-model innovation, SCM/BPR, sales management and B2B2C e-commerce within Greater China. Guest speaker at major industrial summits and an MBA lecture professor.
Talk to our team about licensing, agronomy, and growing SNZI varieties in your region.