By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com
This year’s four day Fieldays, starting on Wednesday at Hamilton’s Mystery Creek is shaping up to be one of the strongest in recent memory, underscoring the rural sector’s central role in driving New Zealand’s economic momentum. With international interest surging and export opportunities expanding, the event is once again proving that agriculture and agritech remain the country’s most dynamic engines of growth.
Fieldays will host 73 international exhibitors, up from 66 last year, representing markets across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. The lift in global participation reflects a renewed confidence in New Zealand’s rural sector and the innovation that continues to set it apart on the world stage.
That confidence is also evident in the 254 exhibitors who have opted into export‑focused programmes through NZTE, MFAT and the Waikato Chamber of Commerce—an increase from 224 last year. Businesses are clearly looking outward, using Fieldays as a launchpad to secure new partnerships and expand into high‑value markets.
International delegations are also on the rise, with 1,102 visa support letters processed so far. Delegations from Brazil and Chile are among those confirmed, following Fieldays’ recent outreach into South America. Marcelo Menoita of the New Zealand Brazil Business Chamber says the event has become a global agribusiness platform, offering “real commercial outcomes” and direct access to world‑leading agritech.
Fieldays programme manager Steve Chappell says New Zealand’s reputation for innovation, combined with expanding flight routes and the country’s global appeal, makes the event a powerful drawcard for overseas investors and industry leaders. The return of the New Zealand International Business Centre will again give delegates direct access to government agencies, trade experts and regulatory guidance.
Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says the momentum is unmistakable. International engagement is strengthening, commercial connections are deepening, and New Zealand’s rural sector is once again proving its ability to lead the country’s economic recovery and future growth.
