This month, Crawshaw is trying to work out how to get his animals to market, as it is unclear when a bailey bridge would be in place to restore access for stock trucks.
“It’s been an eventful few weeks,” he told The Country’s, Jamie Mackay.
Currently, light vehicles were allowed over the causeway to Crawshaw’s property, but he said he had a few options open to him to get off-farm if this fell through.
“We had the option of a dingy [with a] vehicle on the other side, or a tractor-trailer and get dragged through by the tractor and dozer.”
Despite these obstacles, he chose to compete in the regional final, for a change of scene and a break from the farm.
“We made the decision that it’d be nice to put your mind to something outside of the challenges that we see on our farm and in our community.
“We thought it’d be a good chance to be part of a different atmosphere – as it turned out it was a good weekend obviously.”
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Crawshaw said had no expectations of winning the regional final and hadn’t had time to think about his strategy for the Grand Final.
“I haven’t given it any reflection or planning yet – I’ve been straight into [work] since getting back – but we’ll find some time in the coming weeks and figure out what it all means and what approach we want to give it.”
He said the council and the community continued to work together to get stock and deliveries across the Tutaekuri River.
“Last week, on Thursday, we got the maiden voyage done and that was a big light at the end of the tunnel, just opening up a little bit of stock flow as winter starts creeping in.”
Crawshaw remained philosophical about his Grand Final chances in July.
“Come hell or high water you’ll do your best – so that’s as good as we can do.”
