Fieldays attendees will have to swap their winter coats and gumboots for jandals and sunnies, with the iconic four-day agri event being held in summer for the first time in its 54-year history.
From the farmers eager to get their annual Fieldays fix to townies looking to get a taste of what’s on offer, Fieldays 2022 will showcase the whole food and fibre journey, from farm to plate.
Shifting Fieldays 2022 to November 30 to December 3 was not an easy decision but will ensure the popular four-day agri event can run to its full potential. The shift also provides a one-off opportunity for Aotearoa New Zealand organisations to exhibit, when usually cannot attend during the event’s traditional June period.
Other benefits of a summer Fieldays also include: no braving the chilly winter mornings, thick fog causing flight delays, longer days, better weather, and a good opportunity to do some Christmas shopping!
The largest agri event in the Southern Hemisphere plans to end 2022 with a bang, considering last year’s event was a huge success. Fieldays 2021 saw 132,776 people visit the event, becoming the second biggest in the event’s 53-year history.
It also generated an impressive $675m in sales revenue for New Zealand firms with $234m going into the Waikato region alone. Plus, $330m additional GDP was generated for the New Zealand economy at Fieldays 2021, and almost 3,000 jobs were sustained.
Chief Executive of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, Peter Nation, says despite its vital boost to the local economy, Fieldays is much more than just doing business.
“Fieldays is not just a platform for primary sector businesses to trade, it’s also a destination for families, friends, and the primary industries to come together.
“Having that sense of connection is important for our wellbeing and bolsters our identity as Kiwis – events are in our DNA.”
As an extension of the physical event, an engaging mix of content will be livestreamed on FieldaysTV, a good alternative for those who can’t make it to Mystery Creek in November.
FieldaysTV content will be filmed in real-time at the heart of the event in a glass studio based on the Village Green, highly visible to passers-by and in a convenient location for live crosses to exhibitor sites. After the gates close at the end of the day, visitors can tune into Fieldays TV on demand.
FieldaysTV will also run different series that shine a spotlight on the people that drive the New Zealand primary sector forward. Discover local stories of young people making their way in the primary sector, heart-warming stories about our rural communities, and delicious recipes from top Kiwi chefs!
Shifting the popular four-day agri event also means that the gates at Mystery Creek will open to international visitors and exhibitors as Aotearoa New Zealand’s borders are set to open by 31 July.
“As a world-renowned event, it will be incredible to be able to welcome attendees and organisations from across the globe for the first time since 2019,” Peter says.
“The conversations, connections, and meetings that could potentially take place at Fieldays 2022 would help drive our primary sector’s output and reputation worldwide.”
He also notes that the event being positioned in November/December will suit those planning their summer holidays around the event.
“The timing of Fieldays 2022 will suit many attending from overseas, who may choose to attend Fieldays and then enjoy a long summer holiday with friends and whānau. This within itself will bring an economic boost and much-needed tourism to our regions.”
“We are very much looking forward to opening the gates in November for a summer celebration of Aotearoa’s primary sector.”
Fieldays is based on a 114-hectare site at Mystery Creek 10 minutes from Hamilton and is the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere. Fieldays 2022 has been postponed until Wednesday November 30 to Saturday December 3, 2022.
Head to fieldays.co.nz for more information.
