For 25-year-old Ms Hone, who became the first woman to win the NZ Dairy Industry Dairy Trainee of the Year Award in 2014, this year's Gypsy Day marks the start of an exciting new career chapter: a three-year, 50:50 sharemilking contract with 450 cows at a farm at Marotiri, Taupo.
The run-up to the big day had been busy, but she and her partner managed to keep things under control.
"It's probably been easier than what I thought, but then you probably overthink things. And we have had plenty of time to prepare," she said.
Because of the seasonal nature of dairy farming, sharemilkers often begin planning their next move as far back as the previous spring. Many farmers are known to plan meticulously to ensure a painless Gypsy Day move, and take note of any relevant bylaws surrounding the movement of stock.
Effluent spill on the roads can lead to hazardous driving conditions, and local authorities offer advice to farmers to avoid a messy, and dangerous, journey. This year, Waikato Regional Council has suggested not giving cows green feed for four to six hours before their journey, to reduce the amount of effluent.
John Butterworth, Rotorua/Taupo Federated Farmers Sharemilker Section chairman, said he thought farmers were mostly "up to speed" with regulations and good practice for Gypsy Day.
He described the annual tradition - a unique occasion in the Kiwi farming calendar - as a display of aspiration by the country's sharemilkers.
"They're growing their business, so that sometimes means having to go to a farm for a bigger job, so it's another way of growing their equity," he said.
A sharemilker on his parent's Rotorua dairy farm, Mr Butterworth said he had never made a Gypsy Day move himself, but had witnessed first-hand the excitement of the occasion.
"I know it's an exciting time for everyone, with a new job and a new challenge."
Before they moved on to their own Ngakuru farm last June, Nick and Bec Simmonds were sharemilkers well versed in the annual migration of Gypsy Day.
"It can be stressful if you're not prepared," Mrs Simmonds told The Land. "Each time is different.
"You have to plan ahead, and accept that you can't be everywhere at the same time."
Now the couple run a herd of 365 cows on their own land, but Mrs Simmonds remembered past Gypsy Days when they would be moving as many as 600 cows from one farm to another.
"We have normally had a posse of people who help each other. Now, if we know of anyone moving, we offer to help. It makes such a difference - what goes around, comes around."
After years of sharemilking, Mrs Simmonds said she and her husband were glad to be staying put on the Ngakuru farm this Gypsy Day.
"Definitely," she said. "When you are working in the industry, it means having to move at least every three years."
For some dairy farmers, it can be nice to take a break from tradition.
