Cyclone Vaianu Brings Heavy Rain, Flooding Across NZ
Cyclone Vaianu is continuing its track south towards the Bay of Plenty, bringing with it destructive winds, heavy rain, and large swells, says Metservice.
Reports of severe weather forecast to move over the vast majority of New Zealand’s kiwifruit orchards this weekend will be very concerning for a significant number of growers.
That’s the message from the CEO of the Kiwifruit Growers Association Colin Bond.
He says while it is still too early to fully understand how significant the event will be, there is a lot of fruit hanging exposed to the elements.
He says the picking of Gold not yet halfway through and Green is only beginning.
Colin Bond says growers will need to ensure they have plans in place to reduce the impact where possible.
This threat of damage to the nations kiwifruit crop from cyclone Vaianu comes just weeks after Zespri was predicting another large crop of 220 million trays to sell and that grower returns are likely to be up this season.
Cyclone Vaianu is continuing its track south towards the Bay of Plenty, bringing with it destructive winds, heavy rain, and large swells, says Metservice.
While Cyclone Vaianu remains off the East Coast of New Zealand, the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group says impacts have been felt overnight.
A Local State of Emergency has been declared for the Waikato for a period of seven days as the region prepares for Cyclone Vaianu to hit the area.
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.

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