Crowd down, spending subdued
Back to its “normal” mid-June timing, it looked like all the stars were in alignment for the Fieldays at Mystery Creek.
This follows the 2022 event, held in late November/early December, that failed to hit the mark with many exhibitors and had about half the usual numbers through the gate.
With around 1,000 sites already committed to by enthusiastic exhibitors, National Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation reports that it appears that some of those exhibitors are making major investments in their displays.
Nation also notes that alongside absentees from previous events, like Toyota NZ, AGCO and Claas Harvest Centres who are returning, some new names like Synlait, NZ Wagyu and The Italian Trade Association have taken space for the first time.
Nation and head of customer and strategic engagement, Taryn Storey, point out that a change of the traditional layout has opened the site for "core business" that in practice sees the increasingly popular Rural Living and Outdoor areas moved to the east of the Main Pavilion and adjacent to the neighbouring Tieke Golf Course, while the majority of the agricultural machinery sites have moved to the south-western side of the showgrounds.
Nation says, "The move has been welcomed by most of the machinery exhibitors as it delivers a larger area of flat sites and the benefit of an adjacent refreshment area."
Alongside the well-established Innovations, Health and Well Being, Forestry and Careers Hubs, a new Sustainability Hub has been introduced, following four years of planning, and collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency. The 'core' issues being addressed will be Water, Electricity and Waste, with multiple exhibitors hopefully able to provide information and solutions regarding current and emerging best practice to help protect our environment.
In the Careers Hub there are already commitments to visit from 28 schools, from as far as Geraldine High School in the South Island, with another 1200 students expected to learn about pathways to a career in rural employment and the associated professions, while also keeping an eye out for opportunities on the Live Job Board.
Nation suggests that in its 55th year, the event will "offer the rural folk the chance to come and see the latest or emerging technologies and practices, but even more importantly, a chance to get away from the farm for a few hours or a day to catch up with a few mates."
We also have to remember that with a General Election on roughly four months after Fieldays, we are sure to see well known and not so well known politicians from all parties, keen to press the flesh and win over a few extra undecided voters. You can always pull your collar up and hat down and give them a wide berth!
