Apple crop harvesting has begun in Wairoa with the first fruits set to go towards the community pātaka to help support whānau after the town was heavily affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. The orchard, which is currently being harvested, is one of the first commercial ventures established by Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa which is the post-settlement governance entity for Te Rohe o Te Wairoa.
Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Chair Chief Executive Officer Lewis Ratapu said it is a momentous occasion, because it is the first time their apples are being harvested since they were planted two years ago.
"It was quite an easy decision for us to make, we had these apples that was the first pick, an Envy apple which is one of the top selling apples, grapefruit, it's mainly exported overseas. So it just made sense for us as part of lifting the spirits and the wairua of the community to be able to give back an apple that was grown here that represents the future of our community. Most apples here tend to go into cider. So this is the first time that we've grown fruit at this scale to give our to whānau in which it will turn into commercial crop in time."
Source: rnz.co.nz