Following gale-force winds that battered Western Bay of Plenty orchards in mid September has come a massive redistribution effort by local charity Good Neighbour.

As communities including Katikati faced flying trampolines and damaged roofs and fences from high winds on the weekend of September 13-14, the weather also devastated avocado orchards and caused widespread crop losses for growers.

Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade deputy chief fire officer Craig Gray said his station attended 29 callouts in 14 hours on September 14 due to the high winds. Powerco reported thousands were without power supply in the North Island, the majority in the Western Bay of Plenty; and Metservice recorded wind speeds at Minden of 101.9km/h on September 13 and 133.3km/h on September 14, meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon said.

Carpets of fruit

With windfall fruit lying in thick carpets under avocado trees across the district, Good Neighbour stepped in to complete a 12-day recovery and redistribution effort in the Te Puna-Katikati area, turning tragedy into tangible good for communities across the North Island, general manager Renee Hanna said.

“Many orchardists reported losing up to 75% of their avocado crop in the storm, with tonnes of fruit scattered across the ground. Some orchardists have lost their sole income.”

However, Hanna said thanks to the swift action of Good Neighbour’s Second Harvest team, 17 tonnes of windfall avocados were rescued from 17 orchards in the Te Puna-Katikati area, then sorted and delivered to those in need.

“While it has been devastating to lose our crop and see it on the ground, it’s a blessing to know it’s not being wasted and is going out to our local community and the wider country,” one local grower said.

Kaitaia to Wellington

Hanna said on September 22, about 20 bins of fruit were loaded onto trucks and sent across the North Island. The avocados were distributed through Good Neighbour’s established food rescue and transport networks, reaching food hubs, community organisations, and families from Kaitaia to Wellington.

“One orchardist said Good Neighbour’s second harvesting team has been amazing in their tireless work to rescue the windfall avocados and said: ‘Thank you for turning this disaster into something good for the community’.”

Hanna said the initiative represented a monumental effort by a local charity to not only reduce waste, but also respond compassionately to both growers’ losses and food insecurity.

“There have been many tears during this work,” said Hanna, “but also a glimmer of goodness”. “We are incredibly proud of our volunteers and staff who stepped in so quickly. No small feat for a local charity!”

The boxes of fruit were delivered to food partners across the region, while volunteers had also shared the avocados within their own local neighbourhoods, creating a ripple of generosity in the face of hardship.

Hanna said the operation finished on September 28, after some orchards had been visited three times.

Hanna said while the weather event was detrimental to growers and their incomes, the collected fruit had made a huge difference to the families who received it.

Eyes light up

“Avocados – that kind of food is something that people [we distribute food to] would never even imagine buying. It’s something that they don’t get their hands on at all,” Hanna said.

“We’re talking about people who are struggling with putting things like bread on the table, so they wouldn’t be able to afford to purchase them.

“When someone has seen a lot of avocados, it’s just another avocado. But when it’s a treat for someone and it’s out of their reach, it’s like you can actually see their eyes light up. It’s pretty cool.

About 30 bins of avocados were rescued and redistributed, reaching families from Kaitaia to Wellington. Photo / Supplied

“That’s what we find a lot – things that someone may take for granted for another person is something that they couldn’t have imagined having in their own kitchen, which is very sad. Especially when avocados provide so much nutrients.”

Donate unwanted produce

Hanna said while she hoped local orchardists didn’t experience a similar windfall again, she asked if – for any reason – they do have surplus unwanted fruit in future to get in touch.

“If there is any surplus, please give us a call. It’s about making sure fruit is not rotting on the ground, and people that are suffering out there can make use of it.”

Good Neighbour’s team is on standby to collect fruit, but some growers drop off fruit. “That is always very helpful too,” said Hanna, who encouraged support and awareness of the importance of second harvesting, food resilience and helping neighbours in times of need.

To get in touch with Good Neighbour, email: hello@goodneighbour.co.nz or phone

07 394 4249.

To learn more about what Good Neighbour is up to in your community, visit: www.goodneighbour.co.nz