increase font size
Peter Nation.
The stage is set for the 50th National Fieldays, says chief executive Peter Nation.
Over 1100 exhibitors are converging on Mystery Creek, Hamilton, for the four-day event, to be officially opened by NZ Fieldays Society patron and Governor-General Patsy Reddy.
Nation says the society is pleased the Governor-General accepted its invitation.
“She is our patron; considering she has a very small number of patronages it’s good to have her,” he told Dairy News.
“It’s also the first time in a very long time that the Governor-General is opening Fieldays.”
Despite the June 13-16 event coinciding with Parliament sitting, political leaders are expected in a steady stream.
Anticipating the 50th anniversary, the society two years ago set up a committee of past-presidents and life members.
Events held throughout this year have marked the anniversary and in November a book will be published with stories and photos from past Fieldays.
The book’s closing chapter will cover the 50th anniversary event.
A children’s book is also being compiled by a Cambridge writer, telling of a brother’s and sister’s experiences at Fieldays.
“The idea is a children’s book can go into education facilities and live on,” Nation said.
Highlights of this year’s event will include an array of international exhibitors including the Czech Republic taking part for the first time, and Ireland, South Korea, Australia, US, and UK. China will be notably absent; a delegation attended last year.
The careers and education hub, launched two years ago, continues to attract interest; about 1000 students are pre-booked to attend Fieldays.
“Having all these students turn up in school buses is exciting for the industry; this is what we are about,” says Nation.
Go to the doctor
An expanded health-and-wellbeing hub will be found in the education centre and more exhibitors have registered.
Peter Nation says this hub covers more than mental health.
“It’s about prostrate, cancers, heart health and other health issues. From what we know we saved 11 lives last year; they walked in and were told by our health professionals to visit the doctor on Monday because things were not looking good.
“We’re really proud of this, and we’re not just talking about farmers but urban dwellers who visited the event.”
Entry fee hike
The ticket price for the 2018 Fieldays will be higher.
People over 15 will pay a new adult rate of $30/day versus $25/day last year; children 5-14 will still pay $15 and under-fives will get in free.
Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation says the ticket price hike has been “fairly accepted so far and it’s still a cheap day out.”
Nation says even with support of sponsors the NZ Fieldays Society has to fund infrastructure development at the site, provide buses for transport and fund education and health centres during the event.
“We’re also losing income as we could be selling the sites to exhibitors but that’s not what we’re about.
“We are proud to see 1000 students pre-booked for our event; we’re giving them an opportunity and not many organisations do that.”
The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.
OPINION: The Rural Support Trust ran a dinner and debate at the National Fieldays last month. In tables of 10, over 540 people were wined and dined, including the Prime Minister, supported by ministers from around the country.
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.
OPINION: The release of the King's Birthday Honours list would normally be Milking It's cue to moan about how agriculture, the backbone of the economy, had again been overlooked.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.
