Dannevirke: Now that's a heavy pumpkin

Pumpkin grower Roger Bixley, left, with Shane Cochrane, checking out the weight at the Tararua Bird Club's annual show and sale on Sunday afternoon. Photo / Christine McKay

As hundreds of bird fanciers flocked to the Tararua Bird Club's annual sale and show on Sunday, a giant pumpkin was also causing a bit of a flap amongst the visitors.

Grown by Dannevirke's Roger Bixley the orange giant was a bit of fun and a chance for people to guess it's weight.

"I mow a few lawns around town, so I've got quite a lot of lawn clippings and I just chucked the pumpkin seeds on top," Mr Bixley said. "I've picked four of these giants this season."

And while most people were just happy to eye up the pumpkin and guess it's weight, Shane Cochrane heaved the pumpkin up to try and get a better idea of its weight.

His two guesses, 33 and 35 kilograms. Ken Cameron thought the pumpkin was much more meaty, his estimate was 101kg.

The correct weight was 50.48kg and with the giant pumpkins no good for eating Mr Bixley was planning to return them to his compost heap.