Kiwifruit poisoned in mystery attack

A Katikati orchardist has lost a $50,000 kiwifruit crop in a poison attack on his land.

Eric Hutchinson contacted police when a 1ha block of kiwifruit withered and died in 24 hours.

Mr Hutchinson suspected the vines had been sabotaged with poisonous spray.

Samples sent to a laboratory in Hamilton confirmed his suspicion, showing that the plants had been doused in the potent weedkillers Roundup and Buster.

Mr Hutchinson believes he knows who is responsible for destroying his vines.

"I think it's a person who's had a grudge with somebody else and they've got the wrong orchard."

He is waiting for police to act before naming the suspect, convinced the attack was not aimed at him.

"I don't think I've upset anybody that bad that they'd do this to me."

Mr Hutchinson has four orchards in Katikati and runs another two for other people. He said the destroyed block usually produced 8000 trays of kiwifruit a year, providing a gross income of about $50,000.

It would take two years to restore the vines and the block would need extra pruning and fertilising.

"The costs are going to be ongoing."

Mr Hutchinson said he was infuriated by the attack but felt fortunate that he had other orchards to keep him going.

"If it had happened to a person with one block, it would have crippled the guy for the whole year."

He had no insurance against the damage, but hoped to recover some of his losses from the person responsible. No other orchards in Katikati have been targeted.

Senior Constable John Fitzgerald of Katikati police said it was possible the wrong orchard block was sprayed and that the attack was aimed at another grower.

"It appears a commercial-type spray unit, possibly towed by a tractor, was used. It was a fairly bold thing to do, to enter an orchard without authority and spray."

- additional reporting: NZPA