Does someone have to die before Govt acts?
It was interesting to read how the Government has made changes to immigration rules to help Queenstown employers recruit much-needed temporary staff.
The inaugural New Zealand Rural Games is expected to attract top competitors from throughout New Zealand and Australia including national and world champions. The two-day celebration of all things country takes place on Queenstown's Recreation Ground over Waitangi weekend, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February 2015.
Organisers are working with Sport New Zealand and rural sports associations around the country to develop exciting new formats for competitive wood chopping, sheep shearing, sheep dog trials, Young Farmers, speed fencing, coal shovelling, speed gold panning and other less well-known sports.
The event will also feature Highland Games and a full festival programme including live music and entertainment, fun audience participation events like cow pat throwing and cherry stone spitting, kids activities plus speciality food and market stalls.
NZ Rural Games founder and trustee, Steve Hollander says the event had been a dream of his for a long time.
"My background is in farming and rural sports. During the 2011 Rugby World Cup, I helped showcase these as part of the REAL New Zealand Festival. It was a huge hit with domestic and overseas fans and gave me the idea to create an annual event," he says.
"New Zealand was built on farming and the economy still relies on primary industries and the people who work in them. The Games are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate this essential part of our national character. We want to help continue the legacy of traditional sports for future generations, bringing them to the attention of the wider population and ensuring the country's rural spirit is celebrated for many years to come."
Hollander's company, Cutting Edge Sport (CES) is managing the event on behalf of the NZ Rural Sports Trust. The non-profit trust's board features respected New Zealand professionals including former All Blacks captain and World Cup winning coach, Sir Brian Lochore, well known Taranaki rural spokesperson, Barbara Kuriger as chair along with other representatives from the rural and commercial sectors.
Programme and ticketing details will be announced soon. Anyone wanting more information should visit the New Zealand Rural Games website www.ruralgames.co.nz.
