More than 132,000 visitors attended the 58th Fieldays over four days, marking the first time in five years that gate numbers have surpassed 130,000 and signalling renewed confidence in New Zealand’s primary industries.
Attendance was up 20% on last year, with Wednesday recording the largest opening day attendance in the event’s recent history. Exhibitor sites were sold out ahead of the event, and exhibitors reported strong sales across the four-day period.
New Zealand National Fieldays Society chief executive Richard Lindroos says the result demonstrates the event’s strategic importance to the sector.
“Fieldays continues to be where the primary industries come together to do business, share ideas and build connections,” Lindroos says. “Fieldays isn’t just an event, as this year has proved, it is a national strategic asset that brings together the best of our primary industries in one place.”
The strong turnout reflects positive sentiment in the rural sector, supported by four days of good weather and what organisers describe as a buoyant atmosphere on the ground. Visitors engaged with cutting-edge agri-tech, hundreds of exhibitors, live demonstrations, and practical tools to support on-farm productivity.
“This year’s strong attendance and exhibitor demand highlight the confidence in the sector and the vital role Fieldays plays in enabling growth,” Lindroos says.
Connections and economic impact
Lindroos says the event provided valuable opportunities for face-to-face reconnection after challenging recent years, with feedback highlighting the energy on site and genuine connections being made.
“Beyond the numbers, success isn’t just reflected in attendance figures, it’s seen in the energy on site, the conversations happening, and the genuine connections being made,” he says.
The full economic impact will take time to emerge, as benefits extend well beyond the four days of the event. Organisers say the event will go down as one of the best on record.
“Fieldays has proven it is a mega event,” Lindroos says. “This year has proved it is a national strategic asset that brings together the best of our primary industries in one place.”
The next Fieldays is scheduled for June 16–19, 2027.
