Kiwifruit did not originate in New Zealand. It was originally grown in the Chang Kiang Valley of China, where it was considered a delicacy by the court of the great Khans. For many years, the kiwifruit was known as the Chinese Gooseberry. Kiwi was first noticed by Western civilization in 1847. Then, in 1906, the vine was introduced to New Zealand, where it flourished in the fertile soil. It is believed that kiwifruit was named for New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, whose fuzzy brown exterior resembles the skin of the kiwifruit.