In February, Cyclone Gabrielle caused the Ngaruroro River in the eastern North Island to burst its banks. Consequently, it smashed through Riverside Cherries’ 10-hectare apple orchard, also affecting 7 hectares of cherry trees. The Twyford business lost all the apple trees and half a hectare of cherries. What we lost, we replanted in young trees, then we had to start the big job of repairing our cages. They were completely washed away and broken, so that’s seven hectares of netting, so it was quite a job.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 31, 2023 19:11 UTC