Cyclone Tam’s Fury Brushes Te Puke: Northern Communities in Our Thoughts

Well, Cyclone Tam has certainly made its presence felt here in Aotearoa! While we in Te Puke haven’t borne the brunt of its full force like our whanau up in the Far North, let me tell you, that wind has been something else!

For the past day or so, a constant, howling gale has been whipping through the orchards and across the paddocks. You can hear it whistling under the eaves and rattling the windows. It makes you really appreciate the solid construction of your home and sends you scurrying indoors for another cuppa.

While we’re mostly dealing with some fallen branches and a few rogue leaves swirling around, my heart really goes out to those in the northern regions. The news reports paint a picture of significant disruption and, I can only imagine, a whole lot of stress and hard work ahead. If the wind is this intense down here, the conditions up north must be truly challenging. You can’t help but feel a sense of solidarity and hope that everyone is staying safe and that the damage isn’t too severe.

Kaeo today at 430pm

On a more positive note, I’m happy to report that all is well at Troppo’s Food Forest. Our little slice of paradise has weathered the storm beautifully. Those tunnels we painstakingly constructed are proving their worth, standing firm against the gusts and keeping our precious plants shielded from the elements. It’s a real testament to the resilience of nature, especially when given a little bit of human help. Inside those protective covers, our “beauties” – the seedlings, the delicate herbs, the young fruit trees – are all snug and secure, oblivious to the wild weather raging outside.

It’s a stark reminder of the different experiences this cyclone is bringing across the country. While we count ourselves lucky here in Te Puke with just a bit of blustery inconvenience, many others are facing much tougher conditions. Let’s keep those communities in our thoughts and offer any support we can as they navigate the aftermath of Cyclone Tam. Stay safe, everyone! And to those up north, kia kaha – stay strong. We’re thinking of you.

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