In an attempt to save crops of kiwifruit, blueberries and asparagus, helicopters have been out fighting frost across parts of the North Island. Last year, a late-spring frost caused huge damage to crops and today, a heavy frost hit the same areas this morning; the Bay of Plenty, Waikato and the important kiwifruit growing areas of Katikati and Te Puke.
Seeka Chief executive Michael Franks said the kiwifruit vines had just ‘woken up’ - with buds out - making it vital to protect them from frost: "Helicopters were bought in the Bay of Plenty, all windmills and water systems were checked and operated well so generally frost has been averted. In a couple of pockets of small areas, we're talking very small areas there will be some frost damage and we'll see the extent of that in a couple of days."
Source: rnz.co.nz
