Cabbage Trees

Maori have a belief that if the cabbage tree flowers profusely a hot summer will follow, and looking out at our neighbour's trees, with their numerous flowers, it certainly may well be the case. 
The weather forecaster's are predicting that we are in for an El Nino summer, so did a bit of googling and found -
In New Zealand, the ocean-driven El Nino system typically brings cooler, wetter conditions, bringing higher rainfall to regions that are normally wet, and often drought to areas that are usually dry.
This is not good for NZ farmers in areas that can be dry in a normal summer, not sure what it will mean for us in Tarawera.

Still battling with my neck, so not venturing out with my camera....took this from my deck.