Early drought fears ease in Hawke’s Bay, but caution remains
Fears of a serious early drought in Hawke’s Bay have been allayed – for the moment at least.
Hawke's Bay residents are being urged to submit their experiences of Cyclone Gabrielle to an independent review.
This week is the final chance for communities to share their experiences in support of an independent review of the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group’s response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
The short online survey is due to close on Monday, 15 January 2024 and has been open since mid-November 2023.
In addition to an ongoing series of community focus groups, Hawke’s Bay communities and mana whenua have been invited to anonymously share their experiences and views on the CDEM’s response to Cyclone Gabrielle during the days immediately leading to the event and in the immediate aftermath of it.
Since its launch, the Independent Review Panel, led by Bush International Consulting, has received close to 1,000 responses from residents from Wairoa to Pōrangahau, with the community and mana whenua feedback continuing to form a significant part of the ongoing review process.
The Panel says it is also making good progress and remains on track to deliver its final report to the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Joint Committee by the end of March 2024, just over a year after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the region.
The survey can be completed by visiting: https://feedback.askyourteam.com/CBqcR2c.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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