Countdown to FIELDAYS

In a few days’ time, the ignition key is turned for NZ’s biggest rural show

After a break for the physical event in the midst of Covid-19 last year, Fieldays is back at Mystery Creek for 2021. The event runs from June 16-19, with the gates open from 8am-5pm (except the last day, when it winds down at 4pm).

Based on a 114ha site 10 minutes from Hamilton, Fieldays is the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere. It also serves as New Zealand’s most important motor show, with many new-vehicle brands rolling out their latest models (not limited to the light-commercial stuff, either) to an eager and often affluent audience.

For 2021 we’ll see exhibits from Ford, GWM, Haval, Isuzu, LDV, Nissan, SsangYong and Volkswagen, as well as a plethora of automotive accessories from brands like ARB, Fully Equipped and Feldon Shelter.

Fieldays 2019 hosted nearly

130,000 visitors over its four days, encompassing more than

1000 exhibitors and in excess of

1500 individual sites. Visitors arrive from every direction, creating a picture worthy of a Richard Scarry book. Aside from private cars, in 2019 nearly 14,000 visitors arrived by bus, 850-plus in the Waikato River Explorer, 400 by Camjet jet boat and 140 by helicopter.

The official Fieldays app hit number one in NZ for both Apple and Google and was downloaded more than 42,000 times.

Fieldays staples include fencing, tractor pulls and timber sports. And food of course: the Fieldays Kitchen Theatre showcases prominent chefs creating dishes from local produce.