Hawke's Bay business to 'fly the flag' for the region at this year's New Zealand Agricultural Fieldays

Business Hawke's Bay chief executive Carolyn Neville and Hawke's Bay "ambassador" David Todd. Photo / Supplied

Hawke's Bay will next month put on a united front to encourage New Zealand's top agri-businesses to set up here.

Business Hawke's Bay chief executive Carolyn Neville said, in a joint initiative by Business Hawke's Bay, Hastings District Council, Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Wairoa District Council, Napier City Council, Central Hawkes' Bay District Council and Napier Port, a dedicated team would "fly the flag" for the region at this year's New Zealand Agricultural Fieldays.

Neville said the move was part of an initiative to raise the profile of the region, focus on agribusiness attraction and relocation, agribusiness investment, and strengthen collaboration in our local agribusiness sector.

A team fact-finding trip with Hastings and Napier councils to Fieldays last year highlighted the opportunity to promote the whole Hawke's Bay region as an agribusiness destination, provide a focal point for local exhibitors and foster sector development.

"Many Hawke's Bay businesses already exhibit at Fieldays, but they're doing so as individuals. This year we're taking a fresh approach and uniting under the 'Think Hawke's Bay, Great Things Grow Here' regional business attraction umbrella to profile our region."

"Think Hawke's Bay" will have a stand in the main pavilion and provide lots of information about the region and the opportunities and support available for agribusinesses.

"We are delighted to be hosting Think Hawke's Bay at the 2018 Fieldays," National Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation said.

"The event now enjoys a huge international interest.

"We are thrilled to see support from Hawke's Bay, who are a very important region in supplying among other things, horticulture, wine and cropping together with conventional sheep and beef. This region is also supported by a very efficient port with large throughput of logs along with other important exports.

"Our theme this year is the Future of Farming and we believe that for New Zealand to grow and continue to succeed we must work as collaboratively as possible and all regions must work toward a common goal of growth and property for all New Zealanders."

Neville said an innovative and collaborative approach at Fieldays provided an opportunity to move forward for the region. Business Hawke's Bay and Hastings District Council would work together on the Fieldays initiative, with the support of partners.

"Hawke's Bay is a fantastic place for agribusiness and supporting industries.
There's a lot that makes our place special; it's all about getting agribusiness owners and people that work in the sector to quite literally 'think Hawke's Bay' and consider relocating, opening an office or investing."

There will also be a Hawke's Bay 'ambassador' – David Todd from Toddy Talks - on the Think Hawke's Bay stand, a face familiar to many from the rural sector.

"Being able to represent Hawke's Bay, with all that we have to offer, makes this year's event something to really look forward to," Todd said.

"We have so much to offer in Hawke's Bay so this collective approach to promotion makes a lot of sense. I'm sure we will uncover opportunities for both Hawke's Bay businesses and those inquiring from outside the region."