Huge hail stones which pounded the central North Island on Monday have damaged kiwifruit orchards in Bay of Plenty.
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers president Peter Ombler says by mid-morning he'd heard four reports of damage to orchards in the Te Puna area, north of Tauranga.
He says 90% of the fruit in one orchard has been damaged.
Mr Ombler says the industry self insures to a certain level, so there is likely to be some assistance available.
He says the hail missed Bay of Plenty's main kiwifruit-growing district, Te Puke.
