Surplus citrus fruit drive to benefit Christchurch

SWEET: Craig Dixon from the Christchurch Cathedral Co-operative with Christine Stephenson. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Northlanders will be given the opportunity this weekend to help out Cantabrians.

Citrus for Christchurch is an initiative where Northlanders collect fruit to be sent to Christchurch.

This will be the first year this event has taken place. Ex-Christchurch resident Christine Stephenson got the idea when she saw the excess fruit around Northland.

"I didn't see it happening anywhere else [in Northland] so once I got confirmation from Mainfreight for support I went ahead."

Ms Stephenson, who has been living in Whangarei for a year, said the earthquakes definitely influenced her decision to start this project.

"With all the flooding and everything that is occurring down there, it's a little bit of sunshine for them. It's low cost too."

Mainfreight in Whangarei will be paying for the shipment of 50 banana boxes full of fruit from Northland to Christchurch.

Northlanders can get involved by bringing citrus fruit to the car park at Forum North this Saturday and Sunday between 8am and 4pm.

Banana boxes have been delivered to Pak'n Save and are ready for distribution. Locals are being asked to bring their fruit in plastic bags if boxes can't be filled and to keep different fruit separate.

"The fruit will go to a fruit and vege co-op in Christchurch where it is then sent to 30 other centres where anyone part of the [Christchurch Cathedral] co-op can collect it.

"Craig [Dixon], he's from the co-op and he has no doubt the fruit will be going in to good homes."

Ms Stephenson says she hopes Northlanders get involved.

"People in Northland have expressed empathy for Christchurch, they've seen what's been on TV.

"It's something neighbourly they can do and it's fruit, so it's something healthy that someone will really appreciate."

If all goes well, Ms Stephenson is planning to do it again in August when a different crop will be in season.