The world champion canoe sprinter, nine-time Olympic medallist, and iconic New Zealand athlete is the kiwifruit brand’s first global brand ambassador. 

Zespri, the world’s largest kiwifruit marketer, is proud to announce a four-year global partnership with Dame Lisa Carrington, New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian, as its inaugural global brand ambassador. The partnership highlights Zespri’s commitment to health, quality, and excellence—values Dame Lisa has exemplified throughout her record-breaking kayaking career—with a focus on inspiring individuals to stay focused on their health and wellbeing, through the goodness of Zespri Kiwifruit. 

To launch the partnership, Zespri has released a cinematic short film inspired by the concept of “Flow”—a state of alignment between purpose, nature’s rhythm, and performance. It offers a rare glimpse into how Dame Lisa draws on nature, discipline, and resilience to fuel herself both on and off the water, while reflecting Zespri’s philosophy of growing kiwifruit in harmony with nature’s flow. 

A shared commitment to quality and excellence 

The collaboration unites two Kiwi icons deeply connected to the Bay of Plenty, the birthplace of Dame Lisa and the heart of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry, which produces around 80% of the country’s kiwifruit¹. The collaboration will spotlight Dame Lisa and Zespri’s shared passion for helping others thrive through good nutrition, healthy habits, and building a legacy of positive impact that goes beyond individual achievements. 

More than just a shared origin, the partnership represents a union of purpose and drive. As one of the most decorated athletes in canoe sprint history, Dame Lisa remains focused on upcoming major international competitions, grounded in the flow that guides her training and mindset. At the same time, Zespri is committed to working with nature’s flow to make more nutritious kiwifruit accessible worldwide. By expanding its global footprint, now reaching over 100 million households², Zespri aims to help people thrive through better nutrition and natural goodness. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Dame Lisa Carrington,” said Jiunn Shih, Zespri Chief Marketing, Innovation and Sustainability Officer. “Her discipline, consistency, and drive for progress perfectly mirror our approach to growing and marketing great-tasting, high-quality Zespri Kiwifruit. Together, we look forward to connecting with a broader audience of sports and wellness enthusiasts, as well as inspiring people everywhere to prioritise good health and nutrition as they find their own flow.” 

Dame Lisa echoed this sentiment: “I’m incredibly proud to partner with Zespri. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to champion New Zealand kiwifruit on a global stage. Good nutrition is a key part of my performance, just as it’s central to Zespri’s mission. I’m excited for what’s ahead.” 

Inspiring action: Building habits, creating flow 

The 90-second cinematic film offers an intimate look at how Dame Lisa finds her flow, beyond her athletic achievements, revealing the quiet strengths and habits that power her from within. Her journey is a reminder that sustainable success is built on small, consistent choices: good food, good habits, and energy that carries us forward. Together, Zespri and Dame Lisa hope to inspire people to discover their own flow and build everyday habits that fuel a life of nutrition, purpose, and progress. 

The film explores how Dame Lisa and Zespri each harness nature’s flow. For Dame Lisa, flow is both literal and personal—she moves with nature, finding her rhythm through intentional, consistent training. Similarly, Zespri draws on nature’s rhythm and New Zealand’s fertile soils to grow nutrient-dense kiwifruit with care, dedication, and purpose, a philosophy that has helped it become the number one fruit brand across its 15 core markets³. 

The launch will also feature a campaign microsite with the full cinematic film, episodic videos, and a series of blog articles deep diving into Dame Lisa’s values and what nutrition means to her. Discover the full film and learn more about the collaboration at https://www.zespridifference.com. 

Zespri has sponsored Dame Lisa Carrington individually and is not a sponsor of the NZOC, IOC, or has any relationship with the Olympic movement in general. 

About Zespri 

Zespri International Limited is the world’s largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling in over 50 countries. Zespri is 100 percent owned by current and former kiwifruit growers and has a global team of 900+ based in Mount Maunganui and throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas, with its Centre of Sales and Marketing Excellence in Singapore. Our purpose is to help people, communities and the environment thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit, and we work with 2,800 growers in New Zealand and 1,500 growers offshore to provide consumers with fresh, healthy and great-tasting Zespri Green, Zespri SunGoldTM, Zespri RubyRedTM and Zespri Organic Kiwifruit. Zespri is committed to sustainability, with areas of improvement identified right through the supply chain including our pledge that by 2025, we will use 100 percent reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging, do more to help the environment, and work with partners to be carbon positive by 2035. 

About Dame Lisa Carrington

Dame Lisa Carrington is a world champion kayaker and New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian, with nine Olympic medals, including eight golds. Her remarkable career includes 15 world championship golds and nine successive K1 200m titles. In 2022, she was appointed Dame Companion to the New Zealand Order of Merit, and she has earned multiple accolades, including the Halberg Supreme Award and Sportswoman of the Decade. In 2024, she was awarded one of the Olympic movement’s highest honours, receiving the ANOC Outstanding Sporting Career Award. This award recognises Dame Lisa’s career to date. 

¹ Industry – NZKGI. (n.d.). https://www.nzkgi.org.nz/industry/ 

² Zespri hits major milestone with fruit reaching 100 million+ households globally. Zespri. (n.d.). https://www.zespri.com/en- NZ/publications/newsroomdetail/major-milestone-100-million-households 

³ According to a Kantar Brand Power report, commissioned by Zespri in 2024.