First International Symposium To Explore Nutritional & Health Benefits Of Kiwifruit

Our dietary needs change throughout our lives, as adolescence, pregnancy, lactation, menopause and ageing all place extra demands on our body. These demands need to be met by our daily diet to keep us in optimal health. Including fruit, vegetables and especially kiwifruit in a balanced diet can contribute to good health and well-being at all ages and life stages.

The First International Symposium on Kiwifruit and Health provides a unique opportunity to explore the nutritional and health benefits of kiwifruit based on the latest scientific research.

WHO: The Symposium is hosted by the Riddet Institute – one of New Zealand’s National Centres of Research Excellence – and is sponsored by Zespri International.

WHAT: This two day event will bring together global health influencers including researchers, academics, health professionals and health media to discuss the nutritional and health benefits of kiwifruit based on the latest research. The Symposium programme incorporates plenary sessions, case presentations and panel discussions with active participation from the audience.

Hot topics to be covered include:

• Nutrient richness of kiwifruit

• Digestive health benefits of kiwifruit through the properties of fibre and actinidin

• Kiwifruit's vitamin C health benefits

• Kiwifruit and metabolic health Guest speakers:

• Key note speaker: Professor Jaap Seidell. Professor of Nutrition and Health and Director of the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Amsterdam. Professor Seidell is an eminent researcher whose expertise spans diet, healthy nutrition and the causes and effects which contribute to weight gain and obesity.

• In addition to this, the event will include an exciting line-up of speakers and panels of experts. Please find the preliminary programme attached.

Media bonus: Meet & Greet with Zespri on Wednesday 13 April from 4-6 pm

• Join us for an interactive session and learn more about Zespri's commitment to science and consumer health. More information will follow soon.

WHEN: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 12 -14 April 2016

WHERE: ASB Arena, 81 Truman Lane, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand Media contact:

Rachel Lynch, Zespri Senior Communications Advisor – rachel.lynch@zespri.com and +64 27 509 1805 (please note Rachel is based in NZ, which is GMT+12)

About the Riddet Institute of New Zealand

The Riddet Institute of New Zealand is a Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE), one of the ten funded by the New Zealand Government through the Tertiary Education Commission. It brings together New Zealand's leading scientists in food and nutrition in a collaborative, multidisciplinary national network. The Riddet Institute is a partnership between Massey University (host Institution), the University of Otago, the University of Auckland, AgResearch and Plant & Food Research.

About Zespri International

With sales revenues of NZ$ 1,57 billion in 2014/2015, Zespri is one of the world’s most successful horticulture marketing companies and the Zespri brand is recognised as the world leader in premium quality fruit. Based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, we are 100 percent owned by current or past kiwifruit growers, and employ approximately 350 people in New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

On behalf of our 2.500 growers in New Zealand and 1.200 growers based elsewhere, Zespri manages kiwifruit innovation and supply management, distribution management and marketing of Zespri Green, Zespri SunGold, Zespri Organic, Zespri Gold and Zespri Sweet Green Kiwifruit.

Source: Zespri International