Kia ora koutou,
It was a privilege to attend the Ahu Whenua Young Māori Grower of the year award last week in Tauranga, and amazing to see three bright young women, all orchardists, as finalists. Our hearty congratulations go to Grace Rehu, from TnG for winning this prestigious competition, and her managers and whanau who have supported her. Also congratulations to Ngai Tukairangi Trust for making the finals for grower of the year.
Our programs are all in full swing, but we will be running our year one (CPIOS course) again starting mid July, if there is demand. Some current students on this course will complete by the end of July and have the option of joining the year 2s for two courses and have a taste of the work ahead.
We have had a few students over the last year who have struggled at EIT as English is their second language. So we have been talking with our English teaching faculty and will be running a short course, English for orchard workers, starting mid July. This free course will be over 12 weeks, two hours a week, and have flexible learning according to what the group needs most. If you have any students you think would benefit from this please get in touch with Clare.
We have Growsafe and First Aid both running in July – there is a fee of $500 for both courses. If you wish your student to attend, please let Clare know.
The successful Post-harvest level 5 diploma will resume on the 27th July at the Hastings campus. This year the focus is on quality management, Crop Physiology, and health and safety. Anyone part way through the program will need to re-enrol and anyone who wishes to join the program will need to contact Chris Thorman cthorman@eit.ac.nz
Noho ora mai,
Clare
Dr Lucy Hone, a globally recognised specialist in resilience will be presenting at two free community sessions on 12 July (CHB) and 13 July (Hastings).
Dr Hone is a director of the NZ Institute of Wellbeing & Resilience and offers profound insight on human suffering through her work following the Christchurch earthquake and her own unimaginable tragedy.
These ‘fireside chats’ will be hosted by our very own Toddy and will provide some genuinely helpful insights, with something to eat and drink provided.
Registrations are a must for catering purposes. Please follow the below link for more details.
Dr Lucy Hone – Central Hawke’s Bay and Hastings Event Flyer1
*Date: 16th June
May was enjoyably balmy and reasonably dry. The region had 70% of average May rainfall. Some areas, such as the Heretaunga and Ruataniwha Plains and southern Hawke’s Bay, didn’t see that much though, instead getting roughly 50% or less. It’s three months now of below normal rainfall for the Heretaunga Plains.
Most of May’s rain fell in the ranges, feeding the headwaters of our rivers and keeping flows during May near or above normal. Soil moisture levels remained high through the month and groundwater levels were mostly near or above average for the time of year. Air temperatures were a couple of degrees warmer than usual, helped by above average sea temperatures. Soil temperatures were also warm for May and finished the month on 12°C on the Plains and 11°C in the ranges.
If you haven’t heard, the El Niño, which was predicted to develop this winter, has materialised already and holds potential to be a strong event. A likely partner is a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, which typically suppresses rainfall over much of Australia and can similarly influence our region’s weather.
There is a reasonable chance June’s rainfall will be near or above average but July to September could swing the other way and be near or below normal. West or southwest winds could prevail thanks to higher than usual sea level pressure west of the country, which may in fact extend across us, and lower pressure to the east. Sea temperatures might peg back to near normal levels around our region and air temperatures too. The seasonal forecast models don’t unanimously agree that a run of dry weather is looming but the majority lean that way so it’s worth having a plan should that be the case.
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Percentage of Normal Rainfall
Dr Kathleen Kozyniak
Principal Scientist Air
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
We are aware of a grower who has a significant quantity of Piqa® Boo® trees that are unable to be planted out as intended.
If you are looking for a supply of trees for planting this year, please email manager@hbfa.co.nz for more details.
Metris and HBRC are providing a weather outlook discussion with free breakfast provided by Metris.
Please see below for more information.
If you are seeking support with your application to the Sediment and Debris Recovery Fund, please head along to one of the below clinics which are being run on Tuesday 20th June.
Submission Date – now extended from 30 June to 31 July 2023
Please find the below links to a recording from the webinar, supporting presentation slides, info sheet and FAQs.
Webinar Presentation Sediment and Debris – Commercial Funding – HB Grower QA 8-6-23
Infosheet Sediment and Debris Recovery Fund for Commercial Entities
FAQs Sediment and Silt Recovery Funding for Commercial Entities
Questions and documentation and evidence required
Media Release: 7 June 2023
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The Sediment and Silt Recovery Fund for Commercial Entities opened on June 6 at 5pm for applications.
This means that from 6 to 30 June 2023, commercial entities (across all sectors) will be able to apply for Government funding to recover some of the costs of sediment and debris clean-up on their land following Cyclone Gabrielle.
Applications can be made on the Regional Council’s website. For those needing support to fill out the form they will be able to get in touch with the Regional Council’s Customer Service Team. The application form, FAQs and an infosheet (attached) are on our website with more detailed information.
Available funding includes grants of up to $40,000 and further funding of up to $210,000 on a 50:50 cost-share basis
We know a significant number of businesses have been impacted by sediment and debris. We will be prioritising the funding based on those businesses who will find it most difficult to recover without assistance, as the amount of funding that has been made available from Central Government is unlikely to cover every business that is eligible.
The Regional Council posted on its Facebook page and sent out a media release, please share the post if you are able to, and share the attached information with your networks as you can.
The Regional Council will be dealing with all enquiries. If anyone is wanting more information contact 0800 108 838 or info@hbrc.govt.nz
In response to Cyclone Gabrielle, the Government has approved the Enhanced Taskforce Green (ETFG) work programme to help with clean-up and recovery across the rural communities in Hawke’s Bay.
