Roots: Dame Lisa Carrington on staying connected to home
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Health & Lifestyle
Dame Lisa Carrington speaks to Zespri about growing up in their shared home, The Bay of Plenty, and staying connected to her tūrangawaewae.
Kiwifruit has been grown in The Bay of Plenty since it arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand over a hundred years ago. From its humble beginnings as a novelty fruit, kiwi growers have perfected growing strategies that have seen kiwifruit become the country’s highest-earning horticultural crop. In 1959, the name “kiwifruit” was coined to market exports to the United States, and so the round, fuzzy fruit became intertwined with our national bird and national identity. In 1988, faced with increasing international competition, kiwifruit growers in New Zealand formed a co-operative to share knowledge, skills and resources for this amazing fruit, and in 1997, Zespri was born.
To this day, most kiwifruit in New Zealand is grown in the Bay of Plenty, with Zespri 100% owned by current and past kiwifruit growers. Through the decades, Zespri has kept hold of its original purpose: to help people, communities, and the environment thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. Though Zespri Kiwifruit is now available in over 50 countries, its global headquarters is still based firmly in its tūrangawaewae (place of belonging), the Bay of Plenty, which it shares with Dame Lisa Carrington, New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian.
Born in Tauranga and raised in Ōhope, Dame Lisa Carrington has represented the Bay of Plenty on the international stage, winning multiple world titles and eight gold Olympic medals over the course of her athletic career so far. Training and competing has taken Carrington around the world, from Rio de Janeiro to Tokyo. Still, Carrington hasn’t forgotten her roots either, and staying connected to her hometown and heritage is just one of the values she shares with Zespri. Out of these shared values grew a partnership, which Carrington describes as “authentic, energising, and purposeful”.
Below, Dame Lisa Carrington speaks to Zespri on growing up in the Bay of Plenty, and the importance of staying grounded in her roots.
Growing up in the Bay of Plenty, surrounded by nature and community, must have been a special experience. What are some of your most vivid memories from that time?
My family moved to Ōhope Beach when I was eight. It was such a cool place to grow up – living so close to the ocean was amazing.
I remember spending so much time at the beach with my friends. We’d spend hours in the ocean, playing, surfing, boogie boarding, competing in surf lifesaving... it was the best playground. Mum and Dad were always very encouraging of this as they wanted us to be comfortable in the water.
Now that you’re based in Auckland and still traveling frequently, how do you stay connected to your roots in the Bay of Plenty? Are there any rituals, foods, or practices that bring you back home, no matter where you are?
My parents are still in Ōhope. Most of the time we’re at the beach – fishing, surfing, or just hanging out and catching up with family and friends.
Sometimes I run down the coast from Whakatāne. It’s awesome that I get to follow on the most beautiful track all the way back to Ōhope. When you’re up on the cliffs running along and looking down on the ocean it’s pretty amazing.
Is there a person or a place back home that continues to ground and inspire you in your journey?
Family and friends always ground me. The ocean is always a place I gravitate towards. Whenever I’m home, I like to get to the beach as soon as possible.
Amid all the pressures of competing and pursuing excellence at the highest level, how do you stay true to yourself and the values you grew up with?
It’s important to me to work hard to ensure I always have a choice, and that I’m always having fun. This makes sure I am the best version of myself for my friends, whānau, teammates, and the wider community.
When you reflect on your journey and success as New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian, what stands out as the most powerful lesson from home that you’ve carried with you?
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve carried with me from home is the importance of enjoying what you do. That simple idea has shaped everything for me. When you love what you’re doing – even through the hard days – it gives you the energy to keep showing up, to grow, and to push your limits. Sport has taught me so much more than just how to race – it’s taught me about resilience, connection, and who I am at my core. At the end of the day, it’s not just about medals or winning; it’s about finding joy in the process, making lifelong friendships, and staying grounded in why you started in the first place.
We recently launched ‘Finding Nature’s Flow’, a film that marks the start of your four-year partnership with Zespri. How do you find your flow, whether in training or in everyday life?
It sounds simple, but I find my flow when I am happy. When I strike that balance, things flow. It can be a really hard thing to do at times of high pressure or when I am fatigued so it continues to be something I work on.
Talking things through with my psychologist has really helped me build a mindset that lets me face pressure with more courage but also enjoy each day as it comes. For me, it’s super important to work hard but still feel like I have a choice in how I go about things – and to keep it fun. That’s what helps me be the best version of myself.
How do you see your story and values intersecting with Zespri’s, especially when it comes to staying true to your roots while striving for greatness?
Even though we’re in different worlds, I see so many parallels between my journey and what Zespri stands for. We both represent New Zealand on the global stage with pride, and staying connected to our roots – especially the Bay of Plenty – means a lot to me. Nutrition plays a huge role in my performance, just like it’s central to Zespri’s mission. There’s also that shared drive for constant growth and improvement, pushing boundaries while staying grounded in who we are. And honestly, I’ve just always loved kiwifruit – so that part is easy!
How did the partnership with Zespri come about?
Like the best partnerships, it started with a conversation. There was great chemistry and energy from the start. It’s a partnership I’m very proud of and excited to see take shape.
