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O’Connor said the full scope of the damage would likely be apparent in the next week or so, given the time it would take growers to do a proper assessment. He said there were several options on the table for the Government to provide support. These included the possibility of direct wage support to help keep staff on, providing professional advice for those badly affected, and potential tax concessions where needed. New Zealand Apples and Pears Board director and Motueka orchardist Evan Heywood said the physical evidence of the damage was beginning to become clearer. Heywood estimated about half of the region s gold kiwifruit had been ruined. He said apples were a trickier prospect, with there being significant variation in damage to crops on the edge of the storm.
Gibbs was also the Provincial Chairman of Federated Farmers for Nelson and Tasman from 1995 to 1999 and helped set up the Top of the South Rural Support Trust – chairing the organisation from 2000 to 2017. In recent years he has been a Wakefield Community Council Trustee, the current farming representative on the Tasman District Council s Dry Weather Task Force, and was involved with the response to the 2019 Pigeon Valley Fires.
Elise Vollweiler/Stuff
Colin Gibbs, pictured here in 2008 at the Motueka A&P Show Sheepdog Trials. Gibbs has been a member of the Waimea/Tapawera Dog Trial Club since 1965. Of all his achievements Gibbs said he was probably most proud of his work with the Rural Support Trust, helping farmers get through events like floods and droughts, as well as personal adversity.