Rural bachelor callup

Rural blokes are being invited to enter one of Fieldays’ favourite events.

The call is out for single, rural men to enter the 2015 Rural Bachelor of the Year competition, held in the lead-up to and during June’s NZ National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek.

The fan favourite competition will see the blokes face a range of challenges over the Fieldays week in hot pursuit of the Rural Bachelor title and its $20,000 worth of prizes.

Event manager Waimarie Taimai said the eight bachelor finalists would receive an allexpenses paid trip, starting in a mystery location and racing from there to Fieldays, facing various challenges along the way.

Once at Fieldays, they would compete in different heats, from farm work to fitness to kitchen skills.

This year’s event is being sponsored by Sovereign, with a particular focus on farmers’ wellbeing.

The company’s chief marketing and innovation officer, Chris Lamers, said: ‘‘We’re encouraging Kiwis to take a more proactive approach to their health, and this is a great opportunity to take our ‘Life, Take charge’ message to the rural community.

‘‘It’s not just about meeting new people, it’s about getting outside your comfort zone and challenging yourself to try new things.’’

Last year’s winning bachelor, Jeff Peek, said the experience was one of the greatest in his life, and said it had opened doors for him in many ways.

‘‘It was an awesome week with a bunch of like-minded guys, a healthy bit of competition, and awesome people to meet along the way.

‘‘The dairy industry, albeit a big industry, is still very small in New Zealand and [taking part in Rural Bachelor] has put opportunities for employment and career progression in front of me that I may not have otherwise been offered.’’

Asked if he would do it again, he grinned and said he’d have to ask his girlfriend about that!

‘‘But I wouldn’t hesitate to tell anyone to go for it and have a crack.’’

Entries close on April 17. All details are through the website fieldays.co.nz.