Editorial: Gastro bug has hit at right time

Mark Story.

It's been years since I've seen a sunrise. This failed whitebaiter was standing alone at the Esk River mouth pre-dawn, where Whirinaki's Saturday boasted rubbish weather.

But nonetheless a horizontal strip below cloud on the horizon provided the stage for a kingly orange orb to rise like a free-range yoke.

Hawke's Bay was beautifully still.

I was reminded that August is the region's month of hibernation; the month where our flagship industries of tourism and horticulture enter a state of hiatus. Hence, timing is one of the few positives of the gastric outbreak last week.

I understand from the accommodation industry that the eighth month is historically the quietest; visitors on our streets are fewer.

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To boot, there's no fruit on our trees (excepting the comparatively small citrus fraternity), so the potential damage to our brands could have been much worse.

Thus, it'd be safe to assume had this bug materialised in the summer months, or even spring, we'd have been hit harder on all fronts.

Heading into the heart of the storm, my father-in-law and I made a visit to Wright & Co cafe on Saturday. Havelock North was all but empty - but cold weather's never been friendly to the hospo industry. The staffer who brought coffee to our table asked if we'd also like some water. Our backbones were being tested. The challenge was accepted, after all, it was trust well-earned given the cafe's selfless donation of time and food to others in need this past week.

We can only hope for a swift resolution to the inquiry. From where I'm standing, the discovery of a definitive source is looking increasingly unlikely.