"We hope to nurture the next generation of rural sporting athletes and aid those interested in taking up many jobs and career opportunities available right now in rural New Zealand."
The Allflex Clash of the Colleges has also grown, attracting teams from New Plymouth to Napier to Wairarapa and Paraparaumu.
Sixty teams of agri-students will battle it out over 30 modules, including cowshed plant washdown, wool classing, body conditioning scoring, and paper-based modules covering seeds, weeds and fertilisers, and rural sports.
"We've also created the Secondary School Shearing Championships (with a trophy donated by shearing legends Sir David Fagan and Rowland Smith), there'll be a special youth speed tree climbing event, and you will also get to see rookies compete with the axe, saw and chainsaw," said Hollander.
This year, the Stihl Timbersports championships will feature at the Games – women, men and rookies will compete over two days for the prime spot of representing New Zealand at the international champs.
The Mayor of Palmerston North, Grant Smith, welcomed the move.
"As it is Palmerston North's 150th Anniversary there is no better way to mark it than the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games," Smith said.
"Our city was founded on the strength of agriculture and food which remains the backbone of our diverse economy today."
New Zealand Rural Games Trust Chair, Margaret Kouvelis acknowledged the organisation had faced multiple challenges along the way.
"With our Australian rural sports athletes staying at home this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, we've had to make some changes," Kouvelis said.
"We have created two battle of the sexes events in the speed tree climbing and sheepdog challenge, and the Southern Hemisphere Highlander Champion will see three big boys from Manawatū take on New Zealand."
VIPs to the weekend include Sir John Kirwan, Tom Walsh, Tangaroa Walker from Farm4Life, TV funny guys Jono and Ben and many more.
The Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games, the Allflex Clash of the Colleges, the Westpac Agri Futures and Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards will only be held in Palmerston North if the Covid-19 Level is at one.
Athletes and events
(Please note: Some events are still finalising athletes)
Stihl Timbersports:
• Rookies: Harry Hardie, Michael Trow, Brad Pako, Sam Bellamy, Finn Sloan, Cleveland Cherry, Matt Gower, Jordan Thomas.
• Women: Emma Shaw, Karen Corbin, Darcell Apelu, Sheree Taylor, Raewyn Windley, Natalie Paterson, Kylea Heaton, Alma Wallace
• Men: Jack Jordan, Neil Hateley, Kyle Lemon, Chris Lord, Jason Wynyard, Nathan McDonald, David McDonald, Jack Torrington
Speed Fencing:
• Jared Nicolson (Havelock North), John Graham (Ashhurst), Tony Bouskill (Napier), Tim Garrick, Cory Twigley and Haydon Walton (all Gisborne), Troy Brooky and Lomu Paikea (both Te Kuiti), Shane Bouskill (Tirokino) Bradley Fountain (Palmerston North)
Youth Secondary Shearing:
• Feilding High School, Rathkeale College, Palmerston North Boys' High School, New Plymouth Boys' High School, Whanganui Collegiate School
Sam Strahan Memorial Sheep Dog Trial Challenge:
• Women: Jo Waugh, Bex Scragg, Kathryn Oliver, Robyn Stephens
• Men' Paul Evans, Guy Peacock, Bruce Pakinson, Matthew McMurray
New Zealand Gumboot Throw Championship:
• South Island: Anja Luecht, Susan Holdt, Kris Taylor, Kieran Fowler, Richard Jack, Craig Manson
•North Island: Dell Adams, Janey Harrison, Stu McNie, Richard Port, Jack Murrell
Egg Throw and Catch New Zealand Championship:
• Riki Paewai, Kris Richards, Robbie Hollander, Jack Talyor, Brent Newdick, Luke Wainui
Battle of the Sexes Speed Tree Climbing:
• Women: Chrissy Spence (Queenstown), Nicky Ward-Allen (Taranaki), Steph Dryfhout (Tauranga), Sami Baker (Christchurch)
• Men: Dom Ritter (Dunedin), Sam Smith and Zane Wedding (both Auckland), Sam James (Christchurch)
Southern Hemisphere Highlander Championship:
• Manawatū: Adam Millar (current champion), Callum McConachy, Carl Waitoa
• Rest of New Zealand: Reuben de Jong, Craig Manson, Andrew Wain
Speed Shearing:
• Men: Brett Roberts, Ringakaha Paewai, Leon Samuels, Lionel Taumata, Jack Fagan, Digger Balme, Rowland Smith, Jimmy Samuels, Paerata Abraham, Toa Henderson
• Women: Ingrid Smith and Laura Bradley.
