Bay of Plenty wind event

Classification of 2025 wind event

NZ Avocado can now confirm that the BOP wind event on 13 and 14 September 2025 has been classified by MPI as a ‘localised event’. ‘

Given this classification, MPI will now:
1. Notify Inland Revenue of the classification so that growers can access existing tax flexibility provisions (e.g., re-estimation of provisional tax, early withdrawals from Income Equalisation Scheme accounts, and late payment/filing relief).
2. Engage MSD to ensure awareness that affected growers may be eligible for Working for Families adjustments, Emergency Benefit, or other assistance where income is impacted.
3. Engage with both Regional and Local councils to notify them of the classification and start the process of enabling support options that maybe available.
4. Work with the Bay of Plenty Rural Support Trust (RST) to confirm its role in providing pastoral care, wellbeing referral, mentoring, and community support activities, within existing funding arrangements.
NZ Avocado will continue to work with MPI and other agencies to support growers through this event.

Classification of 2026 weather events

The Government has classified recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, and Canterbury as a medium-scale adverse event. This enables additional support for farmers and growers in the affected regions who continue to face weather-related challenges. Click here to read more

Support available

For Grower wellbeing resources and pastoral care support, click here

Rates and Council support

In recent weeks, NZ Avocado Growers’ Association formally requested a rates and charges relief package from both the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
While the event does not align with the Councils criteria or policy for a rates remission, both councils have responded with support options:

  • Rates deferral available until March 2026
  • Flexible payment arrangement options
  • Waiver of any penalties on your account

We encourage growers who have experienced substantial crop and income loss this season to reach out directly to the councils:

Their rates teams are ready to assist and guide you through the available options.

The responses from each Council can be found below:

Professional advice

NZ Avocado is pleased to pass on that the NZ Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust have offered support to Bay of Plenty growers affected by the recent wind event.

What’s available 
Orchards that have suffered significant fruit drop or orchard damage will have the opportunity to seek professional advice from consultants to help with recovery strategies, insurance assessment and to examine financial and production outcomes for their business.

Eligibility
This support is targeted to individual growers with significant (>70%) fruit loss who have no or limited other income sources.
To ensure growers are getting the right advice, the industry will also review and communicate details of suitably qualified consultants.

Process for growers
Growers can find the application form below.
Once the application is verified by NZAGA, growers can engage with the appropriate consultant who will invoice the NZ Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust directly after having invoices approved by NZAGA.