Maize and sweetcorn lead as Tairāwhiti’s top summer crops

Maize and sweetcorn continue to dominate as the most grown crops in Tairāwhiti over the summer months, according to the latest summer crop survey conducted by the environmental science team from Gisborne District Council.

The survey, which covered a total of 24,376 hectares, revealed that almost half of the surveyed area was dedicated to summer crops.

Survey results excluded pasture, not-visible and tilled land.

Maize and sweetcorn accounted for 44 per cent of all crops surveyed, covering an area of 5248ha.

In second place were grapes, which covered 1545ha and made up 13 per cent of the total summer crops.

Citrus took third spot, with a total area of 1475ha, representing 12.3 per cent.

Kiwifruit recorded 822ha, making it the fourth most abundant crop in the region, contributing to just under 7 per cent of the surveyed summer crops.

The survey also highlighted the variation in the most abundant crop across different areas and catchments.

Maize and sweetcorn were the top crops in the Poverty Bay Flats, Te Karaka/Whatatutu, and the East Coast/Ūawa/Tokomaru Bay areas.

Chicory took the lead in the East Cape/Ruatōria region, while baleage dominated in the Motu/Matawai area.

The full survey results, including those from the past eight years, are available on the council’s website.