FIRST it was the pavlova, then Phar Lap and Russell Crowe.

Now it appears Australia is trying to lay claim to the humble Pineapple Lump.



Channel 7's Sunrise TV program offered the lollies to British boy band One Direction among a sample of Australian delicacies, including Vegemite and Tim Tams.



The Sunrise hosts described Pineapple Lumps as "an Aussie delicacy - in Queensland".



Band member Zayn Malik appeared less than thrilled with the confectionery, saying "it's reasonable, it's OK".



However, Australia has again wrongfully staked a claim to a Kiwi invention - created by Oamaru confectionery factory worker Charles Diver in the early 1950s.



Oamaru's Rainbow Confectionery, which took over the Regina confectionery factory where Mr Diver worked, continues to make Pineapple Chunks.



General manager Ray White says Mr Diver created the recipe for Pineapple Chunks when trying to find a use for products left over from other confectionery.



"We do export this product back to Australia so I don't see how they can claim that they're theirs," he told NZ Newswire.



Cadbury-owned Pascall also exports its Pineapple Lumps to Australia.



Meanwhile, One Direction member Niall Horan found Vegemite wasn't to his taste - when Sunrise gave it to him on toast he quickly spat it out into a tissue.



Sunrise's broadcaster Network Seven put the remainder of the uneaten toast up for sale on eBay, with bids reaching $100,000 ($NZ126,108).



The sum raised will go to charity YoungCare, which looks after young people requiring full-time care.