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| NZ Plough 2010 |
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By Erena McCaw - The first of the 58 international contestants in NZ Plough 2010 arrive this month. Methven in April is to host one of the largest agricultural events ever held in the South Island. Six years in the planning, and with a million dollar budget, NZ Plough 2010 will spill over 160 hectares of Methven farmland. The World Ploughing Contest (April 17-18) is preceded by the Mobil Silver Plough Championships (April 15-16) in a four-day country fair which promises not only modern world-class ploughing but vintage ploughing with horses. The NZ Plough 2010 20-strong organising committee has moved into high gear. The long-suffering secretary now produces a small book of minutes after each fortnightly meeting - which begins at 4pm and typically ends around 10pm. The first of the 58 international contestants and their coaches arrive this month, leaving ample time to get used to ploughing conditions before competition starts. At last count, 380 international visitors had registered for the official 10-day NZ Plough 2010 package, nearly twice the number for the last two World Contests in Slovenia and Austria. The numbers reflect the pulling power of Nobilo Wines and NZ Plough 2010’s promotional pamphlets distributed at the last four World Contests. Overseas visitors are expected to total around 600. This includes 30 young Austrian farmers keen to support their representative - an 18 year old girl Although this is New Zealand’s fourth World Contest, it is the first time the event has received Government funding. Organising chairman Noel Sheat believes the support recognises the work of volunteers in show-casing New Zealand to the world in a time of global economic recession. Organising committees overseas are usually paid, he says. He notes proudly that the World Ploughing Organisation’s general secretary has waived his duty-trip to check on progress: NZ Plough 2010’s exemplary planning made it unnecessary. “We’re not doing too badly for a bunch of old ploughing enthusiasts handling a million dollar world event,” he says. A major financial cost to his committee is sponsoring four people from each of the 60 competing countries for 10 days, paying for food, accommodation, entertainment and transport at a total cost of around $200,000. Either Prime Minister John Key or Bill English will open the event which includes one of the biggest vintage machinery displays seen in New Zealand in recent years. Purpose-sown crops will be harvested and processed, using machinery and methods common in 1920-1940s. Horse-teams will be a major attraction, along with trade, craft and food stalls, plus live entertainment. The Aorangi region of Young Farmers Club is adding to the fun by running its regional Young Farmer of the Year final (Sat, April 17) on the NZ Plough 2010 venue. Children from overseas will be invited to join the AgriKids event. Daily crowds of around 4000 are expected to attend the national ploughing finals while the World Contest is expected to attract around 10,000 on the first day, and more on the second. Organisers hope that amongst the visitors will be people who have travelled north after enjoying Warbirds Over Wanaka in early April. Methven locals will be watching the World Contest with heightened interest as one of their own, Bruce Redmond, strives for world supremacy in the conventional ploughing class. NZ Plough 2010 falls in the school holidays and children have free entry. Day tickets are available from all CRT outlets at $5/day (adults) for the NZ Mobil Silver Plough Championships and $15/day for the World Contest. A real money-saver for enthusiasts is a $30 four-day pass. The event will be well signposted from Highway One and from the Rakaia-Methven River Rd. |
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