Days numbered for nation's biggest pumpkin

Matamata youngster Alex Ironmonger sits atop the nation's biggest pumpkin. Picture / Amos Chapple

This 334.2kg behemoth, the nation's biggest pumpkin, won Steve Ironmonger first place at last weekend's Kumeu A and P Show.

The 70-day-old vegetable, which took eight people to lift, is on display outside the Ironmongers' property at Walton, near Matamata.

Mr Ironmonger says the key lies in regular and even watering.

The seed will be saved, and the flesh thrown to the sheep.