Northland Field Days on in Dargaville from today until Saturday

The Northland Field Days are back on at Dargaville from today until Saturday.

Dargaville will be the centre of attention in Northland from today until Saturday with the 34th Northland Field Days in town.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the Dargaville showgrounds, on Awakino Point East Rd, for the three-day field days from today, with a full programme of events and activities.

From lawnmower races to Clydesdale rides, the Northland Field Days have brought the country to town for 34 years and while the show might be getting bigger, the country-fair atmosphere hasn't changed a bit.

"As one of the largest regional field days of its type in New Zealand, the Northland Field Days are renowned for their energy, their vibrant demonstrations and exhibitions, and - of course - their unique and often hilarious competitions," said Field Days president Lew Duggan.

This year marks the 34th Northland event and while the show itself has retained the same energy and community spirit, there have been many improvements for exhibitors and visitors.

"The event outgrew the original showgrounds, and with the shift in location came the ability to attract larger crowds than before."

The Northland Field Days are now an incorporated society, registered with NZ Charities Commission and providing community grants for scholarships and research across a variety of sectors.

Many of the original Northland events still take centre stage - with good, old Kiwi attractions such as cutting horses, tractor-pull competitions, sheep-shearing shows and, of course, the popular sheepdog trials.

The field days have a family focus, too, with a $30 family pass available and a range of attractions for the smallest visitors including a mobile farm, sheep racing, Clydesdale rides, and fairground rides and food stalls. The field days are open from 9am to 4pm every day.