Out to prove he’s the catch of the days

CATCH HIM IF YOU CAN: Single, fun-loving, and hard-working . . . former Gisborne man Gordon Mead, 29, has put himself out there to be the Rural Catch for 2019 at this year’s Fieldays in Mystery Creek. Gordon made an appearance on TV3’s The Project last night. The competition starts today. He had the panel and studio audience laughing when he said young, single women were few and far between in Taumarunui, so he would take his mates’ wives for “a spin” (on the dance floor, of course). Picture supplied

Former Gisborne man Gordon Mead is in the running to be the Fieldays Rural Catch for 2019.

The competition started today at the annual Fieldays at Mystery Creek in Hamilton.

Up for grabs is $20,000 in prizes and the Golden Boot Trophy.

Gordon, 29, was born and bred in Gisborne. He was part of the second intake of the Waipaoa Station cadet training scheme in 2008.

He is one of eight single people (four men and four women) in the Rural Catch, which requires competitors to do a series of challenges over two days.

These include fencing, chainsawing, ATV riding, innovation and computer skills.

Gordon applied to be in the competition and was shortlisted, but then won a wildcard entry through The Edge radio station, which also netted him $5000. He and the other contestants were in Auckland this week for media interviews before the start of the competition. Final judging is tomorrow.

Gordon attended Waerenga-o-Kuri School, Ilminster Intermediate and Gisborne Boys’ High School.

He describes himself as a fun-loving, easy-going guy, who works hard and plays harder.

After graduating from the Waipaoa cadet scheme 10 years ago, Gordon completed a Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln University, then worked as a sheep, beef and deer manager in Te Kuiti.

He spent two years overseas — working in Canada as head stockman at a cattle ranch, and doing a seven-week barley harvest in Western Australia.

He lives in Taumarunui in the King Country where he works as a block manager.

He returns to Gisborne two or three times a year to visit his parents.