‘It’s not about you…’

19 Sep 2024 • By Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner talks to Peter Nation who announced last week he would be standing down as chief executive of Fieldays.

Peter Nation. Photo: Christine Cornege.

Outgoing National Agricultural Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation has some sage words for his successor.

“Don’t make it about yourself and keep your ego in check because it’ll be really easy to make it all about you,” he said.

The 63-year-old has resigned for the position he has held for nine years, after 12 years serving on the Fieldays board, and will vacate the position in December.

“It isn’t about you. You’re leading a highly dynamic team of not only staff, but also volunteers and members and stakeholders and suppliers and sponsors. A really big team of over 500 people.”

Nation is not involved in the hunt for a replacement. That’s a job for the National Agricultural Fieldays Society Board led by chair and Waikato farmer Jenni Vernon.

“Early days,” Nation said of the search for his replacement. “The board are going to take their time. It’ll be, I’m not being boastful, a special person because you’re dealing with all these layers. I’ve hosted five or six prime ministers and had relationships with them and senior ministers. Some of them have become acquaintances that I know personally.”

Peter Nation at Fieldays 2023 with then prime minister Chris Hipkins. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Nation is a well-respected agricultural sector leader.

Before becoming Fieldays chief executive, he spent 11 years as Gallagher’s national sales manager, and 24 years as ANZ rural district manager.

He’s an affable fellow who punctuates every conversation with good humour and laughter.

He navigated the big event focused organisation through its most turbulent time during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The first thing that came out of the Prime Minister’s mouth in March 2020 was there will be no mass gatherings,” Nation recalled.

“We were 90 days out from Fieldays.. and by 5pm we had no bookings for Mystery Creek. You don’t look on the library behind you and find the book that says here’s your simulation of running a business on fresh air.”

Nation had to write his own book and apply it to the context of the southern hemisphere’s largest agricultural trade show.

“We’ve stabilised the business,” Nation said of the post pandemic years. “We’ve had some good Fieldays. You look at all that and you think actually Iet’s just draw the line under that and leave on a high.”

So, what other changes did Nation lead?

“I brought an increased focus on risk and compliance,” he said. “That was driven by the tragic mosque attack that shocked the world and New Zealand suddenly woke up.”

Fieldays 2024 was officially opened with a pōwhiri and the raising of flags, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by chief executive Peter Nation, Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay, chair, Jenni Vernon and Tumuaki o te Kiingitanga Hone Thompson. It was Nation’s last Fieldays.

Nation’s tenure also included the growth of hubs at the National Agricultural Fieldays, including the forestry, sustainability and health and wellbeing hubs.

“We escalated that really fast,” Nation said. “The health and well-being hub has now become one of those things that really gets the hair on the back of my neck standing up. There’re 25 to 30 thousand people going through there a year, and we know we’re saving lives and working with others to achieve that.”

So, what’s next for Nation? He turns pensive.

“This place gets under your skin,” he said. “I’m not leaving because I don’t enjoy it or I hate it, I just think it’s time.”

Nation said he would probably do some consultancy work.

“There are a few companies out there that I could help with my experience. If I can’t, I’ll go white baiting or fishing.”

“I’m really looking forward to the first day of Fieldays next year, coming in as a punter and maybe spending two days just smelling it. Because I need to get to see it. There’s a whole lot of exhibitors I’ve never been to because I just don’t get time, and I’m really going to enjoy that.”