Politicians eat humble pie over pumpkins

KELLY HODEL/Waikato Times

PUMPKIN PARADE: Ryan Pressagh checks out entries in the Great Pumpkin Carnival.

Relevant offers

Hamilton East MP David Bennett's venture into the world of competitive pumpkin growing appears stunted after he failed to impress judges at yesterday's inaugural Great Pumpkin Carnival.

"It's pathetic," judge Dennis Travaglia jokingly replied when asked to critique Mr Bennett's 14.5kg entry into the carnival's biggest pumpkin contest.

Hamilton city councillor Angela O'Leary didn't fare much better, with her pumpkin tipping the scales at 18.6kg.

An optimistic Mr Bennett, however, refused to stew on the criticism.

"I thought my pumpkin's colouration and shape was excellent. It's not all about weight; I'm sure my pumpkin is much more tasty than the others."

The award for biggest pumpkin went to a 165kg Atlantic Giant pumpkin grown by Taupo men Merv Collins and Robbie Dorresteyn.

Six men were needed to lift the monster specimen on the scales and it drew inquisitive stares from the crowd of about 200 onlookers.

Mr Dorresteyn said water, luck "and a lot of manure" were needed to grow giant pumpkins. His daughter, Katie Dorresteyn, 14, also enjoyed success, coming second in the best pumpkin cake section.

Festival organiser Jenny Rowden said she planned to make the carnival an annual event.

"I think it's the mere size of some of these pumpkins which captures people's imaginations," Mrs Rowden said.

- © Fairfax NZ News