'Good bugger' calls it a day
Much of the rural industry is made up of an army of characters who tend to be “good buggers” or rogues, while a small number might fall into the “you need to count your fingers after a handshake” category.
Thirty eight years later it is now Northland’s largest annual agricultural event to promote and increase public awareness of agriculture products and produce within New Zealand’s primary and secondary industries.
In 1986 permanent power was added to 60 sites, which provided a welcome facility for exhibitors. After a period of economic downturn, 1990 had a huge increase in attendance of both exhibitors and visitors. The increase has continued each year resulting in the event becoming the largest in Northland.
In 2006 the land where the Northland Field Days is held now, was purchased by the society, and is now home to the annual event. In 2009, with much appreciated help from the neighbouring properties, the road was sealed to help keep the dust down, making it a smoother journey into the site.
Since 2009, through grant funding and other financial assistance, the Northland Field Days has been able to continually maintain the existing facilities. It has upgraded electrical requirements, installed one permanent toilet block, supplemented by another mobile toilet block. Also, the administration centre has moved from a tiny 6m x 4m office building into a brand new (and much larger) office building, which was mainly built by Northland Field Days committee members.
The Northland Field Days committee aims is to retain the true “field days” atmosphere while also ensuring exhibitors and the general public have a safe and comfortable experience at the event.
Over time, the organisation has evolved, becoming an incorporated society, registered with NZ Charities Commission and – as a notfor- profit organisation – annually provides community grants for scholarships, research etc aimed at reinvesting back into the rural sector.
While the event eventually outgrew the Dargaville Jaycees, the entire event is still organised by a group of volunteers, supported by one staff member in the office. Wherever possible, non-profit volunteer community groups are invited to be part of the event, which has become a major source of fundraising for some of these groups.
Northland Field Days’ mission is, “To become the leading regional field days in New Zealand and to host a world class agricultural event each year” and its motto is to remain being “The Friendly Field Days”.
