Croppers relieved after dodging Cody bullet

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

THE district's croppers have breathed a deep sigh of relief that ex-Cyclone Cody passed the district by although they were hoping for a bit more rain.

Rainfall of around 200 millimetres had been predicted when the weather system was approaching but in reality it barely rained at all around Gisborne.

The maize and sweetcorn growers were particularly happy the wind failed to reach forecast strengths.

“We dodged a bullet that's for sure when it came to wind damage to our crops,” said Dave Corrin, the regional manager for grain maize producers Viterra.

“It would have been good to get about 20 millimetres of rain out of the weather system but at least we didn't get the 200 they predicted.

“That would have been disastrous.”

Coxco managing director Omi Badsar said they were also pleased Cody avoided the district.

“We're glad the bad weather missed us but some rain, say 20 to 25 millimetres, would have been useful,” Mr Badsar said.

“However, now we can get on with our squash harvest without any major interference from the weather.”

Corson Grain procurement manager Richard Hyland said their biggest worry had been the strong winds forecast to accompany the cyclone.

Winds of up to 100 kilometres an hour were predicted at one stage.

“Gale force winds would have blown the crops over so it's a relief overall we missed out on that.

“But like the others you've spoken to, 20 to 30 millimetres of rain would have been welcome.

“Overall though, we're very pleased to have missed out on Cody.”