Meagan Littlejohn: Sustainability essential for New Zealand wine exports
Sustainability is no longer a "nice to have", says Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Programme Manager Meagan Littlejohn.
Along with providing a platform for showcasing innovations and critical conversations to tackle these issues, this week’s event will see the return of the Fieldays Sustainability Hub.
The Hub aims to provide easy access to information about sustainability, with engaging activities and sessions to stimulate conversations about better environmental outcomes.
Waterways and water quality will be a key feature of the Sustainability Hub.
“We are excited to see the evolution of the Fieldays Sustainability Hub for its second year,” says Steve Chappell, Fieldays programme manager.
“We’re asking our visitors to stop by and we’re posing everyday questions, such as, do you know where your household chemicals end up or how to protect your planting from predators? We will also have experts on hand to answer those questions”, says Chappell.
The ‘Talk to an Expert’ sessions feature specialists in the sustainability field sharing their experience and advice on a range of different topics including waterways, soil health, predators, biodiversity, land-use, power usage, agri-finance and much more.
“We are collaborating with new supporters such as Waikato Regional Council and mana whenua Ngāti Hauā Mahi Trust, who are helping to welcome and converse with our visitors. Our Land & Water, AsureQuality, Lincoln Agritech, QCONZ, Predator Free NZ Trust, Tyrewise, Powerhouse Wind and Rural Energy are new to the Hub this year. They join returnees’ eClean Envirotech and Instep Carbon and Sustainability Programmes to showcase real-life solutions and answers to sustainability questions our Fieldays visitors might have,” says Chappell.
The Hub will also feature virtual reality experiences and interactive activities to educate visitors on environmental sustainability topics to encourage discussions and influence positive changes in the sector with the future in mind.
Alongside the hub, the Fieldays Sustainability Trail, accessed via the map on the Fieldays App, will lead visitors to nearly 40 other Fieldays exhibitors demonstrating their sustainability practices, products, and initiatives.
Fieldays is also continuing its own work with New Zealand-based company instep, which has supported a sustainability programme to reduce Fieldays’ carbon footprint since 2012.
Fieldays is also continuing its own work with New Zealand-based company instep, which has supported a sustainability programme to reduce Fieldays’ carbon footprint since 2012.
In the lead-up to this year’s event, Monk has also worked directly with exhibitors to set sustainability goals and educate them on waste reduction methods.
“I held an online educational session with our food vendors. It was a chance to share waste reduction ideas and work together to get everyone on board our sustainability journey,” she says.
“I held an online educational session with our food vendors. It was a chance to share waste reduction ideas and work together to get everyone on board our sustainability journey,” she says.
Previous winners of the Commitment to Sustainability Award and returning food vendor Deejays Gourmet Griller has praised Fieldays for its proactive approach to event sustainability.
The returning Fieldays Sustainability Hub is joined by the new Fieldays Rural Advocacy Hub, and other returning favourites - Fieldays Innovation Hub, Fieldays Careers Hub, Fieldays Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing Hub, Fieldays Forestry Hub, and Fieldays Digital Futures.
