Last month parts of New Zealand were devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle, while some growers suffered no or minor damage, others saw their entire livelihoods destroyed overnight. Apple growers in Hawke's Bay had just started the apple harvest when the cyclone hit the area.
So where do these growers start when it come to clearing up and rebuilding their lives?
Kurt Livingston from Fern Ridge Fresh an apple grower in Hawke's Bay posted on LinkedIn:
Thick layers of silt have completely covered some of our regions orchards...Rows of trees have toppled over and snapped…Fruit is lining residential streets some distance away from orchards.
Photos: Robert Sykes of South Pacific Growers, supplied by Kurt Livingston, Fern Ridge Fresh
The sight of apple bins floating in rivers and cars and caravans scattered through orchard blocks is no longer surprising and surface flooding continues to linger in orchards.
Photos: Robert Sykes of South Pacific Growers, supplied by Kurt Livingston, Fern Ridge Fresh
While some orchards have been left relatively unscathed and are cracking into harvest, others have an extremely tough road ahead.
Photo: Kurt Livingston, Fern Ridge Fresh
If you’re looking for a way to directly support the growers affected, Hawke's Bay Fruit Growers' Association has set up a relief fund to help with the growers immediate needs and wellbeing initiatives for the journey ahead.
Photos: Robert Sykes of South Pacific Growers, supplied by Kurt Livingston, Fern Ridge Fresh
It would be awesome if you could share the below link with your networks.
💰 https://lnkd.in/guZzmdsC
And if you’re someone in the Bay who has been affected and could do with a chat send me a message, I’ll bring the beers to you.
Photos: Robert Sykes of South Pacific Growers, supplied by Kurt Livingston, Fern Ridge Fresh
Kurt Livingston
Fern Ridge Fresh