Jacinda Ardern at Fieldays 2019 with Peter Carr
The annual agri-pilgrimage is upon us again this week, to a Fieldays with notable changes, improvements and a full house.
Peter Carr
Full in the sense that every one of the 1300 pristine green sites are booked by 1000 exhibitors. As a past president of the Fieldays Society I take great pride in attending each day, arriving while it is still dark to take up my slot as an ongoing volunteer. That my wife agrees to join this crazy-hour journey and complete a full day’s work is an indication that support of a ‘free’ nature is across all aspects of the community.
This is the 57th edition of this prestigious event where in the region of (hopefully) 130,000 people will stream in through the gates to gape with awe and clamber to gain access to never-to-be-repeated bargains. Be it a huge six-wheeled tractor or a pair of gardening gloves.
That the event is managed by a professional staff supported by a pro-bono professional board indicates there is money to be made. In effect the real spin-off is in the wider community. Up to $500,000 value in socio-economic effect should emerge during June witnessed by an ever-growing number of handshaking politicians hoping to be noticed.
This is the only week of the year – bar Christmas – that the House in Wellington does not sit. The green leather seats will be empty. And many of the usual occupants will be swanning around at Mystery Creek – more than ever this year as the countdown to the election has clearly already started. With apparent disarray within the three parties of the ruling coalition and an opposition devoid of real policies – also not expecting Te Pati Māori to return in any form of strength – there is much to be made of chatting up Jo Public in a relaxed atmosphere.
Dairy farmers will be out in force enthused with a possible increased spending ability due to the brand-driven excess they recently received. The smart ones will have used some of this to retire debt but there should be something left over for the ‘goodies’. And remembering that the fair sex is usually 50 per cent of the farming partnership there should be something for the ladies too. I always regretted the removal of the fashion section at Fieldays, and big lumbering machines hardly fill the gap left behind.
As usual someone will blame the Fieldays organisers for cluttering up the roads and adding to the perennial impatience that car drivers appear to wear on their sleeve. If you are starting your journey in Cambridge – or farther east – make good use of the free bus service. The use of this service (also from Hamilton) has grown annually since we started it about 10 years ago. Arrive relaxed, at a very low cost and be delivered right at the gate. No walk from a distant car park. No squabbling children and a much-relieved partner. Give it a try – every filled seat on the buses is a positive contribution to safer driving and reduced frustration.
Peter Carr accommpanied then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Fieldays 2019. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
