Whangarei citrus munched in South Island

Members of Christchurch charity Food Together with some of the 190 boxes of citrus fruit from Whangarei that has been distributed to the needy in the South Island.

In winter Northlanders can take their abundance of citrus fruit for granted, but in the South Island they really appreciate it, with thanks coming from Christchurch and Dunedin for 190 boxes of fruit sent from Whangarei this month.

Whangarei's Lions Clubs put out the call for any excess citrus to send south as part of its annual Citrus for Christchurch programme, with a whopping 190 boxes collected on August 5.

The fruit was sent to Christchurch and Dunedin where residents were delighted to have fruit they cannot normally get for free at this time of the year.

This was the fourth winter in a row citrus has been collected from Whangarei after the initiative was started in 2014 by Christine Stephenson, who moved to Whangarei in 2012 from Christchurch where she had lived for 25 years.

She got the idea when she saw the excess fruit around Northland and recalled how hard it was to get in Christchurch. Citrus is also good at helping fight the winter sniffles.

Lions' organiser Terry Ward said the fruit was gratefully received in the south.

Food Together, a charity that distributes the fruit to those in need in Christchurch, said it was distributed to about 1500 families.

''Most were in the more needy suburbs and as far afield as Oxford and Rangiora,'' Food Together spokesman Craig Victor Dixon said.

''The produce was sorted and packed by our many volunteers who work at the seven Food Together packing hubs.

"Most of these hubs are based in church halls. Families in Christchurch, Halswell, Rolleston, Oxford, Kaiapoi and Rangiora benefited from the generosity of Whangarei folk.''

In Dunedin KiwiHarvest distributed the citrus to those in need.

''I want to express my gratitude to you and your members for the donation of citrus fruit from your region,'' said Deborah Manning, from KiwiHarvest.

''The 30 boxes of oranges, mandarins, lemons and grapefruit have been distributed amongst the 60 social service and community agencies we support. They were all very grateful for the fresh fruit at this time of year."

Mr Ward said the collection would go ahead again next winter.