Fieldays is many things to many people. How many people? More than attended the V8 Supercars at Taupo this year. More than attended the Big Boys Toys show back when it was a ‘thing’. More than any of the ‘satellite’; Fieldays events, and more than any A&P show.
Now in its 57th year, Fieldays is the Southern Hemisphere's largest agricultural event and the ultimate launch platform for cutting edge technology and innovation.
Organisers work flat out for seven weeks to set up the event, and more than 1,000 companies went all-out to build their displays.
The biggest attraction for NZ4WD was the automotive presence. Since the New Zealand Car Show expired last century and Big Boys Toys declined and fizzled out in 2021, the nearest thing we’ve had to a car show has been Mystery Creek.
With the dominance of the sales charts by 4WD utes and SUVs, that means it’s hard to justify staying away. Auto brands bring their best, brightest and newest, and there’s a massive turnout from companies selling accessories and consumables, from rooftop awnings and tents, hard-top wellside covers and canopies, recovery gear and cycle racks to wheels, tyres and more.
The two biggest drawcards for ute and SUV fans were the Toyota tent and BYD. Toyota powered their site with a slick new hydrogen generator and showed the new Land Cruiser Prado along with the LC70 (now sharing the Hilux’s 2.8-litre diesel powertrain) and a fully accessorised Hilux hybrid double cab – with a farmer-friendly flat deck, of course.
Over at the BYD site, the new Shark 4WD double-cab ute was revealed. A 1.5-litre petrol engined hybrid, it has independent rear suspension, disc brakes all round and a maximum braked tow rating of 2,500kg. Transport Minister Simeon Brown pulled back the covers on the all-new ute, which is BYD’s first hybrid.
Chevrolet was there, showcasing its massive diesel powered 2500 LTZ HD and a new association with racing and drifting star Mad Mike Whiddett.
Ram was there too, highlighting the new 1500 Big Horn. The site also featured the big Cummins V8 diesel-engined 3500, hooked up to an enormous boat and trailer.
Jeep was part of the Ateco site, showing an all-black Grand Cherokee.
Ineos showed a range of Grenadiers and its new Quartermaster ute.
Ford had a huge site, with the Everest range going wheel-to-wheel with the market leading Ranger. The new Tremor attracted its fair share of attention.
Hyundai showed its new squared-off Santa Fe, the biggest departure in design and styling in many years for its medium SUV.
LDV showed its new accessoried-up Traverse version of the T60.
Organisers had prepared for a 100,000-strong turnout over the four days, mindful of a looming storm front forecast for the Friday. As the event got under way the estimate went up to 110,000.
