Rural Contractors NZ will kick off its 2025 roadshows in four centres in June and like the organisation’s conference, attendance will be largely free. The RCNZ Board confirmed the dates and venues at its February meeting.
CEO Andrew Olsen says the first roadshow will be held at the Distinction Hotel in Hamilton on Tuesday June 17 with another the following day at Palmerston North’s Distinction Hotel. The following week sees roadshows at the Croydon Lodge in Gore on Tuesday June 24 and the following day at the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch.
He says the roadshows, which were initiated in 2022, provide RCNZ members with an alternative to attending the organisation’s now bi-annual conference.
Wayne Price and Hugh Maxwell were among those attending the 2022 RCNZ roadshow in Palmerston North
“We’ve got more than 600 members around the country and fewer than a third are able to attend our conference. So, we putting together the roadshows as a way for more members to engage.”
The roadshows will each kick off with an early afternoon session sponsored by Nufarm, which is dedicated to members who are agricultural sprayers. It will then merge with those focused on grass harvesting and other cropping-related activities.
Andrew is planning for some short industry updates including one on health and safety in rural contracting which will reinforce the RCNZ’s summer campaign on the risks of fatigue. The afternoon will finish with an opportunity to have a drink and catchup with old mates as well as some sponsor prize-draws.
Andrew says any Rural Contractor NZ member is entitled to attend and also bring three other family or staff members for free. Any further attendees are welcome but there will be a modest charge.
“Our balance sheet and the support of our partners allows us to put this on for our membership at no cost. We know that it’s a challenge for all of our members to get to our conference every second year, so we are bringing the roadshows to their regions.”
The 2026 RCNZ conference will be held in June next year in Christchurch.