and that was Fieldays …..
Fieldays cemented its position as the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural event last month. The ‘Your Place’ theme transformed Mystery Creek into a pop-up city, drawing over 110,000 visitors through the gates. New chief executive Richard Lindroos was thrilled to deliver his first event at the helm. Senior writer Mary Anne Gill was there to capture some of the highlights, as was photographer Stephen Barker.
New Zealand National Fieldays Society Chief Executive Richard Lindroos completed his first event, wet but pleased. Photo: Stephen Barker
Young Innovator winner St Paul’s Collegiate School with KiwiPrune – designed and developed as part of coursework for the AgriBusiness in Schools programme, to simplify the labour-intensive task of removing the plastic clips used to secure the Kiwi fruit vine. It improves productivity, reduces strain, and enhances sustainability. From left, Libby Meredith, Chris Foot and Madeleine Anderson. Photo: Stephen Barker
Waikato University’s Faculty of Health was at Fieldays talking about study opportunities, from left Victoria Egli, Pip Wright and Joseph Lane talk to visitors to their stand.
Chatting all things Fieldays with The Country’s Jamie Mackay inside the Mystery Creek Events Centre pavilion were from left Fieldays chair Jenni Vernon and chief executive Richard Lindroos.
A popular stop for Fieldays’ attendees was the Predator Free NZ stand in the pavilion where Go Eco Hamilton’s Greg Townsend explains trapping to a visitor.
Fieldays always brings leaders from around the region together, from left John Robertson (Waitomo), Adrienne Wilcock (Matamata-Piako), Jenni Vernon (Fieldays chair), Pamela Storey (Waikato Regional Council), Susan O’Regan (Waipā), Richard Lindroos (Fieldays CEO), Paula Southgate (Hamilton).
Lily Liu and Daniel Carson
International flights return
It has been 13 years since international passenger flights have landed and taken off at Hamilton Airport. That all changed last month when Jetstar JQ165 touched down on a glorious winter’s day carrying mayors Paula Southgate (Hamilton), Susan O’Regan (Waipā), Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully and airport chief executive Mark Morgan. Senior writer Mary Anne Gill was there to capture the historic occasion.
Biosecurity and Food Safety minister Andrew Hoggard cuts the ribbon watched by, from left airport CEO Mark Morgan, Māori queen tumuaki (aide) Hone Thompson, Waipā and Hamilton mayors Susan O’Regan and Paula Southgate and Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully.
Zealong Tea Estate general manager and director Sen Kong, right, and chief executive Gigi Crawford ready to greet the flight.
Long day ahead for the Rea family, from left Jeremias, 1, Vanu, Xavier, 3, Esther and Narelle-Lia, six months on the Jetstar flight to Sydney and then onto Cairns.
Air New Zealand proved a bit of a party pooper when its ATR 72- 600 was parked in front of the terminal as the Jetstar Airbus from Sydney landed, spoiling the shot of Hamilton’s first international flight for 13 years for hundreds gathered in the upstairs viewing area. Meanwhile another smaller aircraft takes off behind them.
Te Awamutu Intermediate kapa haka group provided the rousing welcome for passengers on Jetstar JQ165 from Sydney to Hamilton Airport.
Chocolate fishes all round from Callie Snyder, a black water rafting guide from the Legendary Black Water Rafting Company to from left Biosecurity and Food Safety minister Andrew Hoggard, airport CEO Mark Morgan, Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully and Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan.
and finally …..
Amy Marfell (Waikato Rugby Union), left and Shellie Moses (Lime Events at the Waikato Waahine Collective Symposium last month. Photos: Ruth Gilmoure
PwC’s Alice van der Heyden, left and Julie Mackenzie came away inspired and connected after the Waikato Waahine Collective Symposium last month.
K’aute Pasifika Trust turned up in force to the Waikato Waahine Collective Symposium, from left Anngie Tuifua, Roz Hooker, Bever-Leigh Maximo, Tania Elder and Annette Tamaki with Theresa Alaimoana (Fautasi)
Chelsea Waru (Mortgage Bliss Ltd), Debbie McWilliams (Beautiful is You Ltd) and Brooke McGougan (Made Mortgages Ltd) at Waikato Waahine Collective Symposium.
