Horticultural companies around Christchurch in New Zealand have dodged any significant impacts from last week’s 6.3 magnitude earthquake, and are pulling together to lend a hand to the shattered city.
The head office of Scales, parent company to major pipfruit grower-exporter Mr Apple, was heavily damaged during the quake, but while the office is out of action paperwork for export consignments are being processed through the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce, reported the Hawke’s Bay Today.
Crown horticultural R&D body Plant & Food Research (P&FR) also has a facility at Lincoln, not far outside Christchurch. While the facility has escaped major damage, CEO Peter Landon-Lane said in a statement a small number of P&FR staff had lost family members or friends in the disaster. The facility reopened today.
Meanwhile, offers of assistance to clear roads of debris have poured in from regional farmers, who were themselves hit badly by the last major earthquake in September, according to local media reports.
“The hearts of the rural people are going out to the city folk and they want to do something to help,” said Federated Farmers earthquake spokesman John Hartnell. “There are so many people wanting to do their part to assist Christchurch.”
Apple growers in Otago and the Otago Farmers Market have also donated several loads of fresh produce to the city.
The earthquake’s death toll currently stands at 148, but that number is expected to rise.
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