Innovation takes centre stage at Fieldays 2025 awards event
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
Taking place at Mystery Creek from Wednesday to Saturday, the event is set to attract farmers, industry professionals, international delegates and exhibitors.
"When we started planning this year’s event, ‘Your Place’ was developed from the feeling of ownership that our visitors and exhibitors feel," says New Zealand National Fieldays Society marketing & communications manager Brett Beagley.
"There are people who have supported and loved this iconic event for 57 years,” Beagley says.
“Fieldays is our home for four days each year, and through the hundreds of hours spent on site, Mystery Creek transforms into something more than just a location – it becomes your place. A space for connection, celebration and tradition,” he says.
With Fieldays almost ready to open its gates, visitors will be able to explore over 1,200 exhibitors offering equipment and solutions from leading agricultural manufacturers.
As the global agricultural sector addresses challenges such as sustainability and food chain management, organisers say the technical solutions on display at Fieldays will become increasingly important.
Returning for its second year, the Fieldays Rural Advocacy Hub, in collaboration with Federated Farmers, will host Parliamentary Ministers who are scheduled to speak at the Hub during the week.
The recent government budget tax incentive on new farm machinery will be a topic of discussion for farmers, manufacturers, tradespeople, and other business owners, who can now purchase machinery, tools, vehicles, or technology and immediately deduct 20 per cent of that cost from their taxable income.
"Hopefully, we will see those who put off purchasing big ticket items like tractors and heavy machinery equipment using Fieldays as an opportunity to make those purchases," says Beagley.
Other returning Fieldays Hubs include the Forestry Hub, the Careers & Education Hub, the Innovation Hub, and the Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing Hub. Visitors can activate a trail layer via the Fieldays App to identify exhibitors throughout the event showcasing innovation and career and education pathways at their sites.
The Hubs join the new initiatives such as Fieldays Tent Talks in association with the University of Waikato, Fieldays Drone Zone, and the Fieldays Sector Spotlight-It's Wool.
“These new initiatives are an exciting addition to the schedule,” says Beagley. “We are always looking at ways to continually evolve the event and offer new opportunities for visitors to engage with the event while they are on site”.
For families heading to Mystery Creek, they can check out the Fieldays Family Fun Zone in the Heritage Village, the Red Bull Cut It lawn mower racing and the One Big Dig activity, which will run on the hour from 10am - 4pm each on the Village Green, backed by One NZ. Super Saturday is also back, encouraging exhibitors to deliver unbeatable prices and exclusive Fieldays-only offers on the last day.
Visitors can view the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull, in association with PTS Logistics competition from a prime vantage point in the Little George Pop-Up Bar or head next door to the Fieldays fencing competitions.
Planning your travel to Fieldays is recommended, and by taking the free bus or using Park & Ride options, you can help reduce the event's carbon footprint and alleviate traffic congestion.
For those travelling by car, keep an eye on traffic with journeys.nzta.govt.nz/waikato/traffic-dashboard for up-to-date travel times from Waka Kotahi.
Mobility parking will be available through Gate 2 for CCS Mobility Parking Permit holders.
Download the Fieldays App (from Google Play and the App Store) and plan your visit, use the interactive map, pin your car and look for useful things like your favourite exhibitors, water stations and food courts. For more information and purchase tickets visit fieldays.co.nz.
