Hawke’s Bay: Police called over frost helicopters

Hawkes Bay Today

24 Sep, 2026 07:44 PMQuick Read

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Two people were so concerned by the sound of helicopters flying over Hawke’s Bay early on Friday morning that they called the police.

A police spokesman said reports of the helicopters came in from Hillary Cres in Maraenui at 12.30am and Ulyatt Rd in Meeanee at 2.20am.

In both cases,
police made inquiries and determined the noise was from helicopters working to keep frost off fruiting plants, the spokesman said.

It was a busy night for orchardists, with this time of year crucial for keeping vulnerable fruit from getting frost damage.

MetService recorded the temperature in Hastings dropping to 0.5C on Friday morning, and 1.3C in Napier.