{"id":65028,"date":"2023-06-15T09:36:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T21:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmersweekly.co.nz\/?p=65028"},"modified":"2023-06-15T15:49:57","modified_gmt":"2023-06-15T03:49:57","slug":"fieldays-off-to-a-flying-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmersweekly.co.nz\/news\/fieldays\/fieldays-off-to-a-flying-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Fieldays off to a flying start"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> < 1<\/span> minute<\/span><\/span>\n

The much-anticipated winter Fieldays is back, showcasing agricultural trade, entertainment, education, and innovation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event\u2019s opening day witnessed a perfect blend of Waikato winter weather, breathtaking views with sunrise streaming through bouts of low-lying fog, and an overwhelming sense of excitement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event commenced with a traditional p\u014dwhiri and raising of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society and New Zealand flags, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the society\u2019s chair, Jenni Vernon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and representatives for Tumuaki o te Kiingitanga Hone Thompson, attended the opening of the 55th annual Fieldays.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter Nation, CEO of the society, said it was truly heartwarming to witness such loyalty and enthusiasm in a climate of economic uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A spokesperson for Fieldays said exhibitors were encouraged by the foot traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nation said that in the face of current and foreseeable challenges, particularly for those living and working in recently cyclone-affected areas, Fieldays aims to bring a ray of hope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe mood today from those through the gate has been buoyant and we hope that a day out at Fieldays will shed a bit of light on an otherwise difficult situation,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing sustainability and climate change, Fieldays this year launched the long-awaited Fieldays Sustainability Hub. The grand opening ceremony commenced with a karakia and featured speakers, including Hipkins and Associate Minister for the Environment Hon Peeni Henare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prime minister acknowledged the value of New Zealand\u2019s produce and exports, and how the country\u2019s clean, green, sustainability-focused record makes it one of the most desirable primary industry producers in the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Frost and fog can\u2019t dampen spirits as show returns to winter dates.\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":65029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[154],"tags":[48],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t