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Italian machinery manufacturers led by Trade Commissioner Simona Bernardini (centre) meeting with Agriculture and Trade Minister Damien O’Connor at this year’s Fieldays.
Fieldays is usually the place to find old favourites.
However, one of the newest exhibitors at the 2023 event was a joint venture between the Italian Trade Agency, the Embassy of Italy in Wellington and the Italian ag machinery industry association FederUnacoma.
It was at Fieldays to promote Italian agricultural, horticultural and vineyard machinery producers – as well as component suppliers. The Italian site saw a mix of well-known brands such as Antonio Carraro and Arag and lesser-known brands like DigiDevice and Arbieri on display, with accompanying product specialists.
Italian Trade Commissioner for ANZ, Simona Bernardini, says there has been a very positive trend in Italian machinery exports to New Zealand in the last three years.
“In 2020, the companies we support shipped around $50m of product to NZ, climbing to $88.7m in 2022,” she told Rural News. “In the case of tractors, this was $26.5m, climbing $40.6m. Meanwhile, machinery climbed from $42.4m to $47.7m.”
Bernardini added that it was great to be exhibiting in New Zealand for the first time.
“Now we have no travel restrictions and a free trade agreement between NZ and Europe, we are excited to be able to build on existing relationships and of course, develop new business in both directions.”
Also attending was the Ambassador of Italy to New Zealand, H. E. Francesco Calogero – helping to promote trade and cultural activities between both countries. He noted the 2023 Fieldays was the first since Covid to be held with no border restrictions, although supply chain logistics and the Ukrainian conflict still created challenges. He suggested that it was the right time to “re-connect”, building on existing relationships and investigating new opportunities.
“We already have a healthy two-way trade in things like fine Merino wools and Kiwifruit, with Italian agricultural and horticultural machinery and speciality foods heading to the southern hemisphere,” Calogero told Rural News.
“What NZ locals probably don’t realise is that Italian companies are heavily involved in tunnel boring machines that are creating new stormwater drains under Auckland.”
Calogero also commented on the large communities of Italian descent currently living in NZ.
“We have around 7000 people registered with the Italian Embassy, but we estimate that there are around 25-30,000 people of Italian descent in NZ, with sizeable communities in Auckland and Wellington. It’s our job to help them keep their culture alive, promote a trans-country working holiday programme and also help develop trade in both directions.”
Twin rotor swathers have become the ‘go-to’ for forming swaths to feed hungry harvesters and balers, however, the design layout often means that crop located between the two rotors is not picked up, turned over or incorporated into the swath formed for subsequent harvesting.
Operating large tractors became more expensive back in March due to the ongoing Strait of Hormuz conflict, meaning contractors had to introduce fuel surcharges and farmers had to adjust their budget forecasts.
Close to the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks, Motueka is known for apples, pear and kiwifruit orchards, alongside specialised crops such as hops. Indeed, that specialisation, saw the area being the New Zealand centre of the tobacco growing, until the early 1980s.
Can-Am has introduced its 2027 range of side-by-side vehicles (SSV) and all-terrain vehicles (ATV), including the industry leading Defender, the Maverick R and the hugely capable Outlander ATV, incorporating a host of advancements designed to deliver an exceptional riding experience.
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
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The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
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