Yields are typically comparable to Ilam Hardy at early harvests and higher than Rua at full maturity. The cultivar has sufficient resistance to powdery scab to suggest that this fungus is unlikely to be a problem during processing. Resistance to Potato Cyst Nematode is low. However, Kiwitea appears to be slightly less susceptible to bacterial soft rot than Ilam Hardy, Rua or Iwa. Processing characteristics are oval shape, low sugars and medium dry matter.
Sugar levels remain low in long term storage allowing flexibility in how the crop is processed.
Dry matter content of Kiwitea tubers from early lifting were slightly higher on average than Ilam Hardy. In main crop trials they were slightly higher than Rua. The cultivar can be susceptible to secondary growth if subjected to uneven growing conditions. Yield Kiwitea has produced similar yields to Ilam Hardy at early harvests and higher yields from second early - early maincrop stages. In maincrop trials, Kiwitea has significantly out yielded both Ilam Hardy and Rua.