Autumn is almost over and thankfully it’s been gentle on the region so far. It gave us a reasonably dry March, then average April rainfall and a reasonably sedate start to May. It was the western ranges that saw close to average rainfall in April, while the Heretaunga Plains had about half its average and other eastern areas, such as Wairoa and the south coast, were nearer to 75%.
With April’s rain falling mainly in the ranges and into the headwaters of our rivers, flows were higher than usual for the month. Soil moisture didn’t dive downwards despite the drier weather and stayed above median levels for the time of year and still at field capacity in many areas. April’s air temperatures were warm for mid-autumn, especially the overnight temperatures, which were more than 2°C above average. No surprises then that soil temperatures were warmer than usual in April, but at the time of writing were close to the mid-May average of about 11°C.
It seems likely that El Niño conditions will develop during winter and remain with us for summer. We’re also likely to see a positive Indian Ocean Dipole by the end of winter too. Together they suggest drier than usual weather as we move further into the year. The prospect for winter appears to be one of higher than normal sea level pressure to the northwest of the country and lower to the east, signalling a move towards a westerly wind flow. Winter temperatures are expected to be near or above normal and rainfall near or below normal. Below normal rain could well become the mantra to replace the past year’s “above normal” running theme.
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Percentage of Normal Rainfall
Dr Kathleen Kozyniak
Principal Scientist Air
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrower’s Association has partnered with The Evergreen Foundation to support costs associated with registration, travel, accommodation, and expenses for conference week (or part thereof). We are keen to ensure that cost of attendance is not a barrier to growers impacted by the Cyclone.
The special early-bird registration rates end on Friday 26 May, so get in quick to save!
This is open to all fruit growers suffering financial hardship due to Cyclone Gabrielle (regardless of product group).
To learn more about this funding please email info@applesandpears.nz for full details.
Please find the below link to access the latest update from Hastings District Council.
Cyclone-Gabrielle-update-as-at-15-May-2023
HBFA has engaged Wanda Douglas to provide free and confidential psychological support to our members and their families. Wanda is a Registered Psychologist with the NZ Psychologists’ Board. She is based locally in Taradale.
HBFA will fund the first three one-hour sessions for any member of the association and/or their direct family members. Wanda can be contacted via her mobile on 021 1700 506
We also remind members and the wider rural community that they can also contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 if they have any wellbeing concerns.
HBFA can fund technical or financial consultancy to assist growers in making well-informed decisions regarding flood affected blocks. For more information please find the following link – Subsidised Support for Impacted Growers
Please find the below link to access the latest update from Hastings District Council.
1620223-EMO-CycloneGabrielle-message from the Mayor-01.05.23_v2_FA
20 April 2022
All waste recovery for the Hawke’s Bay region is now being coordinated by a taskforce led by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) for rural areas, and the district councils for the urban areas. If you need flood waste collected –whether its silt, flood damaged household goods, wood waste, or posts; please call 0800 108 838 and press 2. Your job will be logged with the taskforce through HBRC. Alternatively fill out the online form here
Below is more information about about each different type of waste that can be collected, and also what can currently be burnt:
Silt
You will be asked when you ring to classify your silt as one of the following types, as the different types of silt go to different locations. Please identify you silt as one or more of the following:
Clean silt – does not contain solid items, and comes from relatively clean areas (ie. not around septic tanks or spray sheds)
Mixed silt – contains small amount of litter (e.g. small toys, food waste) and crops affected by the flood (e.g. apples and onions)
Contaminated silt – may have contaminants mixed through it, e.g. septic tank material, diesel, chemicals
Woody silt – silt mixed with quantities of timber and other storm-related debris like fence posts and trees
If you can estimate the volume of silt you have that would be helpful too (particularly if you have more than one type).
Once you have lodged your request, an assessor will visit your property – hopefully within 3 working days. Your job will then be able to be scheduled for collection. They will try and let you know which day your silt will be picked up.
Silt needs to be piled up, as close as possible to the front of your property in a location that is accessible by truck, but away from drains and gutters for collection.
Six silt collection zones have been developed across the region. Each zone has dedicated contractors who will collect silt, and also any remaining flood-damaged household items.
If you have a relationship with a contractor, it may be possible to have that contractor access one of the deposit sites directly – please ring the 0800 number to discuss – Council is working with Insurance Council NZ and EQC to release an authorised contractor listing.
Find out more about silt and the taskforce on the Regional Council’s website:
Posts and Wire
If you have large quantities of vineyard and orchard posts damaged in the flood (which may still have wire attached), the taskforce can also collect these, and will work to separate and recycle what they can. Please call 0800 108 838 and press 2 to speak to someone about this.
Wood Waste
If you have big quantities of wood waste, you can also get assistance to remove this – call 0800 108 838 and press 2 to speak to someone about waste collection. The wood waste would need to be piled up in one or two locations that are accessible by truck. The recovery taskforce is working with HB Forestry Group, and local contractors to investigate options to manage wood waste onsite where possible, or move offsite.
Burning
At the moment, you can also burn dry wood waste as long as:
Wind conditions are suitable (not too strong, but also not calm)
There are no prohibited materials in the fire – this includes treated (tanalised) timber/posts, plastic (including irrigation tubing) and coated wire. A full list of prohibited items is available here:
The fire does not cause any problems beyond the boundary of your property e.g. smoke to drift across roads, or towards the Napier or Hastings Airsheds; ash or odour to drift off your property
You have notified Fire and Emergency if your fire is going to be burning at night – email hawkesbay@fireandemergency.nz
The fire is controlled and attended to at all times
The burn pile is located well away from any flammable material, vegetation, fences, buildings, substations and powerlines
Appropriate extinguishing equipment is available at all times, until the fire is completely extinguished with water.
Fire and Emergency has a great tool on its website that helps you check whether or not it is safe to light a fire. Find it here
You are strongly encouraged to use experienced burn contractors to manage fires to ensure that they are well-managed and burn as quickly and cleanly as possible.
From 1 May to 31 August no fires are allowed within the Napier and Hastings Airsheds – you can use the map on this page to check if your property is within either airshed.
Questions/Further Advice
Any questions, please contact Charlotte Drury from HortNZ: 027 3225595 or Charlotte.Drury@hortnz.co.nz
It is now over 3 months since Cyclone Gabrielle and while many of our growers have been kept busy with the harvest, the obvious question for those impacted remains “Where to now?”
This seemingly simple question remains near impossible to answer as there are so many complicated decisions still to be made. Central to any rebuild will be certainty around zoning and what role the government will play in supporting a recovery.
The reality is that repairing the extreme damage caused by this event is well beyond what can be funded by the risk mitigating reserves held by our industry. Without significant support from central government large pockets of the industry will be lost and the downstream effects will be felt widely. Horticulture not only feeds our nation it also employs nearly 7,000 people in Hawke’s Bay and is a major driver of the regional economy. A future without a vibrant Hawke’s Bay horticultural industry will create significant social and economic issues – we cannot allow this to happen.
The Hawke’s Bay horticulture industry is certainly not sitting on its hands. A sub- group of horticulture growers, iwi, and industry group representatives (including Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association) was established back at the beginning of March. This “Hawke’s Bay Horticulture Grower Taskforce” has worked to identify the specific needs of growers and landowners and develop a package of assistance for government to consider. The proposed recovery package has been designed around the assistance that was provided to farmers and growers after the devastating 2004 Manawatu floods. You will find more information about the proposed package via the following link – Communication with growers – HB Hort Recovery Package v2
We now await the response from government which we expect to be clarified ahead of the upcoming budget.
The challenge in front of us is huge, but we must move forward and with the right support there is an opportunity to grow back better, bigger, and stronger than before.
I want to finish off by again thanking our community for standing with us. There have been thousands of volunteers locally and from around the country who have offered help in the clean-up. I have seen people from all walks of life come together in unity to help others in need. Our region can only be the better for it.
Kia kaha,
Brydon Nisbet
HBFA President
Supporting those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle remains our immediate priority.
We continue to encourage anyone who is feeling overwhelmed and would like to speak to someone to contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 524. Please also remember that The Association has engaged Wanda Douglas to provide free and confidential psychological support to our members and their families. Wanda is a Registered Psychologist with the NZ Psychologists’ Board. She is based locally in Taradale and can be contacted on 021 1700 506.
For those of you keen to unwind with and swap notes with other impacted growers and farmers, we encourage you to get along to “Over the Fence” which is being held at the Napier War Memorial on the 9th May. HBFA is contributing to bring this event together, so we are keen to see plenty of growers attend. You’ll find more information in this newsletter and via the dedicated Facebook Page.
We also remind impacted growers that The Association will fund consultancy services of up to $700/grower for the assessment of orchards and technical advice to support your recovery. This can be accessed by contacting either AgFirst or Fruition directly – please email me if you’d like more information or would like to use an alternative consultant.
As some of you may already be aware we are also working with NZAPI and The Evergreen Foundation to fund the costs of any impacted grower that would like to attend all, or part of, the inaugural Horticulture Conference Week which takes place from 31 July to 1 August in Christchurch. Please email info@applesandpears.nz for full details.
Alongside our efforts to support those impacted by the Cyclone we continue our efforts to foster, protect and promote the industry in a more general way. This includes planning for the 2023 Young Fruitgrower of the Year which will take now take place on 10 and 11 August. We thank all of our sponsors for their ongoing commitment to what promises to be another outstanding event.
Take care and keep in touch,
Dean
027 233 9900
Please find the below link to access the latest update from Hastings District Council.
