Paul Paynter

Paul Paynter's family have been growing fruit in Hawkes Bay since 1904. As of yesterday, 45 hectares of his orchards are totally under water in the Esk Valley - a rugby field is just over one hectare so an area the equivalent of 45 rugby fields. He says the river silt smothered over the soil has changed over decades what they can grow there. Paul is the general manager of Yummy Fruit.