Day out at Fieldays leads to ute win
Out of more than 80,000 entries, Daniel Neil from Piopio has been announced as the lucky winner of the Isuzu D-MAX LX Double Cab 4WD Ute in this year’s Fieldays Ute giveaway.
Recently we spent a day testing out the new rear suspension upgrades to the Nissan Navara on Australian roads. Now we've tested it in New Zealand.
At the launch, we drove it with weight in the tray and then with a decently heavy trailer. Nissan wanted the focus to be on the improved performance of the rear end under load. The general consensus was the Navara passed that test, no worries.
In any given week, the average ute does as many, if not more, miles with little or no weight on the tray or towbar than it does loaded to capacity, so unladen ride comfort and general liveability are important measures too.
Nissan’s claim that the new dual-rate rear springs actually improve ride comfort stands up. Expectations about ride comfort in a ute have evolved with VW and Ford raising standards to new levels in recent years. The Navara doesn’t quite match those two, but the ride is still very good.
Allied with a quicker steering rack, the Nissan chassis also goes around the bends better and with less arm action.
It will hold its line when punted through a corner and is not thrown by mid corner bumps. It’s a relaxing drive and, some diesel rattle aside, it is quiet.
Equipment levels in the ST-X version we drove have been enhanced with 360-degree bird’s eye view displayed on a 7 inch monitor and satellite navigation built in. Two ISOFix child restraint mounting points have been added to the rear seat.
The 2.3L twin turbo diesel remains unchanged – no bad thing – and the 450Nm maximum torque available from just 1500rpm, delivered via a 7-speed automatic, makes for a smooth and capable power-train. A 6-speed manual is also available.
The ST-X double cab auto, as tested, retails at $64,490. The suspension changes also apply across the double cab SL and ST grades though, and you can get into a 2WD ST for $47,290.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
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