Farming Expo dates, venue locked in for 2024

The East Coast Farming Expo will be at the Wairoa racecourse on February 21-22 next year. The 2023 event was cancelled due to Cyclone Gabrielle. This photo was taken at the 2022 Expo. File picture

The East Coast Farming Expo will be back in 2024 and the Wairoa Racecourse will be the new venue.

It will be held there on February 21 and 22.

The popular expo was cancelled this year due to Cyclone Gabrielle. It is usually held at the Wairoa A&P Showgrounds.

“Cyclone Gabrielle unleashed her wrath on the showgrounds and while there was big push by the A&P committee to have them ready, it simply wasn’t possible,” said event organiser Sue Wilson.

“It’s exciting to be locking in the dates, venue and a number of speakers, including television personality and mental wellbeing exponent Matt Chisholm alongside the former head of analytics for the NZX Julia Jones.

“Both Matt and Julia are engaging, inspirational and aspirational,” Mrs Wilson said.

“Many of the topics being covered by them and our other speakers will focus on building back smarter to help farmers look forward after such a tough few years.”

She felt Expo organisers owed it to the region to ensure a 2024 event happens given the challenges of the year.

There will also be plenty of trade sites, a working dog demo, drone demonstration  and a digger challenge.

“It is a chance for farmers to get off the farm, meet agri-innovators, see what opportunities are out there to help with their businesses, and catch up with other farmers from across the region.

The Expo is deliberately held mid-week so farmers can spend a day off- farm working on their businesses without losing the weekend.

“We are delighted to have our strategic sponsors — the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Rural News, Property Brokers and Agmardt – back on board,” Mrs Wilson said.

“It shows a real commitment to this special event and a recognition of how key these are for our farming communities.”

Hawke’s Bay regional councillor for Wairoa Di Roadley said she was looking forward to the Expo.

“We look forward to meeting farmers and growers from the area, and talking about how we can help them build greater climate resilience into their operations”.

Mrs Wilson said the support the Expo continues to receive was humbling.

“We had such  a brilliant programme ready to go for the 2023 Expo, including new events like the station and cadet challenges.

“I have had a chance to talk to stakeholders of late and that’s brought some exciting new ideas to the table for 2024.

“One thing is very clear – everyone is looking forward to the Expo.”

■ Online exhibitor and trade registrations for the Expo can be found at www.eastcoastexpo.co.nz/