The East Coast Farming Expo has been cancelled, with organisers saying Cyclone Gabrielle has left Wairoa’s showgrounds “decimated”.
Wairoa has been cut off, with regional and local roading badly damaged.
Water and silt have ripped through the Wairoa A&P Showground, East Coast Farming Expo event manager Sue Wilson said.
“It will take months to restore the grounds. After three challenging years, we were looking forward to delivering our very special to farmers of the East Coast but it isn’t to be,” she said.
“But now, we need to concentrate on making sure our local community is okay.
“Right now our focus is on those who need support. Gabrielle’s path of destruction has destroyed some of our own team members’ homes and land.”
She asked for patience from stakeholders and exhibitors for the next week until communications are restored.
