The growing rivalry between the sweet spud and beloved beetroot is heating up as online petitions for New Zealand's best-loved vegetable rage on.

The battle for the beetroot to be named the national vegetable began a few weeks ago, but the Kaipara Kumara's come in to kick it off the top spot.

The outcome of the petitions will be revealed at the Food Show, and then it's up to the Government to decide if a national vegetable will be named.

Kaipara Kumara's managing director Anthony Blundell has entered his vegetable in the online race, after a friendly jive by the rival.

He says he was graciously approached after the beetroot spent a month without competition at number one - but now it's a no-brainer.

He doesn't know many Kiwis who'd say no to kumara.

He argues the kumara came here on the boats with Maori settlers long before the beetroot.

"If you looked the beetroots right in the eye, they just wouldn't be able to hide that fact." 

In the meantime, people are left to ponder what's more Kiwi - the kumara fry or the beetroot burger?