Diplomats, farmers and agribusiness leaders will converge at Mystery Creek as Europe marks a new chapter in its agricultural partnership with New Zealand, reports Mary Anne Gill.
Enjoy it from Europe: Ekaterina Toptanova replenishes the Styrian pumpkin seed oil from Austria at Fieldays last year. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The European Union will host a high‑profile lunch at Fieldays in June, using the new Fieldays Function Centre for what the EU’s New Zealand ambassador says will be a flagship international event.
The lunch will bring together leading European agri‑businesses, New Zealand agricultural leaders and senior political figures, with a focus on innovation and strengthening European-New Zealand relations.
It will be hosted by European Union Ambassador to New Zealand Lawrence Meredith, who told Good Local Media all 27 European Union member countries would be represented.
Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says the event is a major endorsement of both Fieldays and the Waikato region, highlighting Fieldays’ growing role as a national and international meeting place.
“This is a new European Union lunch on the Thursday of Fieldays, and it’s a big statement,” he says.
“Lawrence is hosting it to bring New Zealand and Europe together again, with a strong focus on innovation.”
Fieldays then chair Jenni Vernon, left and chief executive Richard Lindroos, right, chat with European Union ambassador Lawrence Meredith on the European Union stand last year. Photo: Supplied.
The lunch will be held in a large marquee on the Village Green, forming the centrepiece of the newly created Fieldays Function Centre, designed to host major events in a more central, public‑facing part of the site.
Fieldays was the ideal location to showcase Europe’s long‑standing and evolving relationship with New Zealand agriculture and mark mark two years since the Free Trade Agreement came into force.
“We’re really delighted to have the opportunity to host a major lunch between Europe and New Zealand on agriculture and agricultural innovation,” says Meredith.
“Fieldays is the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere, and there’s no better place to have this conversation.”
Around 200 guests are expected to attend, including European exhibitors already on site at Fieldays, leaders from New Zealand agribusiness, farming organisations and political representatives from both sides of Parliament.
Enjoy its from Europe – Ekaterina Toptanova, Nora Romanova and Bridgette Mclellan at Fieldays last year. Photo: Supplied
The lunch will also highlight the progress made since the EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which came into force nearly two years ago and has delivered tangible benefits for both economies.
“The relationship has never been stronger.
“Since the Free Trade Agreement came into effect, it has brought more than $2 billion in benefits to New Zealand exporters, while also opening up new opportunities for European companies.”
The agreement had strengthened cooperation well beyond traditional trade, particularly in agricultural research, innovation and sustainability.
“We’re seeing strong partnerships through programmes such as Horizon Europe, including joint research in areas like pest control, productivity and sustainable farming,” he says.
“That collaboration is going both ways – European agritech and innovation are feeding into New Zealand farming systems, while New Zealand expertise is shaping how Europe thinks about agriculture.”
New Zealand National Fieldays Society Chief Executive Richard Lindroos completed his first event last year, wet but pleased. Photo: Stephen Barker
While the event carries diplomatic weight, Meredith brings a personal connection to farming that makes Fieldays feel like home.
Born in Ireland and brought up in a Yorkshire dairy‑farming village near Skipton, Meredith grew up in the countryside made famous by All Creatures Great and Small, the television series based on the stories of Yorkshire vet James Herriot.
“I was brought up around farmers and farming.
“That Yorkshire connection means Fieldays feels very familiar to me.”
Lawrence Meredith
He is already looking forward to the winter conditions at Mystery Creek.
“I can’t wait to bring my Irish tweed jacket and my Red Bands,” Meredith says.
“Fieldays is a great opportunity to talk directly with farmers, hear what matters to them and see innovation happening on the ground.”
Lindroos says the event reinforced how Fieldays week was increasingly becoming “New Zealand’s agribusiness week”, with Waikato at its heart.
“We want people to see this happening here – the Prime Minister, opposition leaders, ambassadors and international partners all coming into Mystery Creek.
“This is about showcasing Waikato, showcasing Fieldays, and showcasing New Zealand to the world,” says Lindroos.
Lawrence Meredith chats to Fieldays visitors at the Irish Pavillion last year. Photo: Supplied
