Young winemakers
2015 saw the first ever Young Winemaker of the Year competition held in New Zealand.
The ANZ Young Farmer Contest, now in its 45th year, is New Zealand's Ultimate Rural Challenge, inspiring excellence, showcasing innovation and growing human capabilities.
District Finals are the entry level for the contest and at least 300 New Zealand Young Farmer members entered in one of 23 District Finals held in the last few months of 2012.
Each District Final was organised and run by a team of local volunteers.
Contest operations manager Hilary Phillips says: "once again we had a tremendous turnout at the District Finals across the country, with increased numbers on last year. Every District Final was challenging, innovative and really tested the contestants."
The District Final modules tested competitors' practical and theoretical knowledge and ranged from backing a heavy roller around a tight course to welding the icon of our nation a "Kiwi" figure.
With the eight regional finalists confirmed from each region, the Regional Finals series kicks off in February.
Northern will be first to find their grand finalist with their Regional Final taking place on February 9, followed by the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Region on February 16.
Claudelands plays host to the East Coast Regional Final on February 23 and Palmerston North is the location for the Taranaki/Manawatu Regional Final on Friday, March 1.
The Aorangi Regional Final is taking place on March 16, the Otago/Southland Regional Final is on March 23 and rounding off the Regional Finals for 2013 is the Tasman Final on March 30.
Once again the new crop of Young Farmers will battle it out in the TeenAg and AgriKidsNZ Competitions that will take place alongside the Regional Finals.
The ANZ Young Farmer Contest Grand Final 2013 is headed to Auckland and will be a classic case of country comes to town. The Ultimate Rural Challenge will take place from May 16-18.
