Parts of New Zealand are experiencing drier conditions than usual for the time of year with mixed results for fruit growing areas.

An irregular weather pattern has brought scant rainfall to South Island with Nelson experiencing conditions more typical of late summer.

“There are some variations between the two major growing regions Hawkes Bay and Nelson,” said Peter Beaven, Pipfruit NZ ceo. “In Nelson there is a variation depending on location, but the amount of rain appears to vary from 60ml to a little more than 100ml - less than half of Hawkes Bay which has had about 230ml since September. If we have a hot dry summer in Nelson from this point on, there will be some pressure on availability of water for irrigation in Nelson.”

Hawkes Bay has had warm to hot conditions with spring and summer rainfall that has seen an early start to the season and the 230ml of rain is a good amount. “No more is needed,” said Beaven.

New Zealand weather regularly exhibits swings with widespread changeable conditions compared to the norm of dry eastern areas and wet western areas. “Those conditions are still occurring but with the added twist that when rain does fall in the east it is heavy,” said Michael Butcher, technical manager at Pipfruit NZ. “Subtropical downpours have caused flooding in some low-lying regions in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.”

The Bay of Plenty is a major kiwifruit production area, but a Zespri spokeswoman confirmed that rainfall has been sufficient for the crop at this point in the growing period.

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