Donated fruit bound for Fiji

Fane Tuiniwasabula and Niklesh Prasad with some of the donated kiwifruit.

Zespri and T&G Global (formerly Turners and Growers) have been delivering another donation of nine tonnes of Zespri Green Kiwifruit to Fijians affected by Cyclone Winston.

This time the team from T&G Global in Fiji will deliver the Zespri Kiwifruit through cyclone-affected schools around the Suva region, working with Fiji's Ministry for Education to target the donation to the most affected areas.

The donation is again the result of collaboration with Zespri of three companies: T&G Global, Weatherall's Transport and Maersk, all of whom have helped deliver this fruit to the schools in Fiji free of charge.

Zespri external relations manager Nick Kirton explains that fresh, healthy food is still scarce in some parts of Fiji as a result of the cyclone damage, with the UN estimating around 100,000 people could still be suffering the ongoing effects.

"We're really pleased to work with these companies again to get healthy, fresh New Zealand produce to our Pacific neighbours, following on from our donation a few months ago. Working together like this means we can continue to support the communities that provide workers for horticulture in NZ each season," says Nick.

Around 150 Fijians each year come to New Zealand for seasonal work in the horticulture and viticulture industries.

T&G Global Fiji managing director Bobby Sharma says many Kiwis think things are back to normal in Fiji given the timeframe since the cyclone took place, but he has seen first-hand how badly people are suffering 10 months on.

"It's really important to keep on supporting these communities as they try and rebuild their lives, homes and schools.

"Providing nutritious food is just one way we can help and we're committed to continuing our support given our strong ties with Fiji, both as an exporter and importer of produce.

T&G is also about to welcome 20 RSE workers from cyclone-affected villages to work on our orchards in Hawke's Bay.

"We're hired specifically from impacted areas to help these people financially support their families and rebuild their lives as soon as possible."