Thursday, 16 February 2023 16:18

East Coast Farming Expo cancelled

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Wairoa Showgrounds, where the Expo was set to be held, is flooded in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. Wairoa Showgrounds, where the Expo was set to be held, is flooded in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.

The 2023 East Coast Farming Expo, scheduled for next week in Wairoa, has been cancelled.

Devstation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle has cut off the northern Hawke’s Bay town, with regional and local roading damaged.

In an email to exhibitors, Expo event manager Sue Wilson says the Wairoa A&P Showgrounds has been dissemated with water and silt ripping through buildings leaving total distruction.

With some buildings and fences destroyed it will take months to restore the grounds.

Wilson says after three challenging years, her team were looking forward to delivering the event next week for farmers on the east coast.

“But it isn’t to be, and we need to concentrate on making sure our local community are okay.

“Right now our focus is on those who need support, with some team member’s homes and land being destroyed in Gabrielle’s path of destruction.

“Stakeholders and exhibitors are asked to be patient for the next week until communication is restored, when we will be in contact.”

More like this

Cyclone Gabrielle lessons from Young Grower of the Year

If there was a silver lining in the tragedy that was Cyclone Gabrielle, for New Zealand Young Grower of the Year, Grace Fulford, it was the tremendous sense of community and seeing first-hand what good leadership looks like.

Featured

Fieldays to rebuild Mystery Creek services building

The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Quid prod quo?

OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…

Deadwood

OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter