More than 30,000 people attended the Hilux New Zealand Rural Games in Palmerston North over the weekend.
New Zealand Rural Games Trust Chair Margaret Kouvelis says it was fantastic to see people of all ages trying out different things, from tree climbing to digger driving to gumboot throwing.
"We are proud that our events are free, and this is only possible through the generosity of our sponsors, and the many volunteers who helped."
Hilux New Zealand Rural Games founder Steve Hollander says the fifth annual Hilux New Zealand Rural Games was the best yet, with families from all over the country in the city for the event.
"The Games grow from strength to strength every year and have become a stalwart of the rural sports calendar in New Zealand."
"We increased the activities for young people, adding in sulky rides with miniature ponies and increasing the number of the self-drive diggers for children, and more than 400 children learned to climb a tree – it was a brilliant weekend," said Hollander.
"Other changes included larger big screens and more stands for people to sit and watch the action. The Farmers Market was a new addition, as well as the opportunity for neighbouring districts to promote what they have to offer."
Highlights from the weekend included livestreaming the event, the launch of the Hireways Little Digger book that was written by two Freyberg High School students, and Trillian Trek which turned up on Sunday afternoon to hand out more than $12,000 to local schools and charities in the city."
"I want to publicly thank Toyota, Fonterra, Husqvarna, Norwood and Palmerston North City Council for their incredible support," said Hollander.
The New Zealand Rural Games Trust would like to publicly acknowledge Palmerston North Boys' High School, Feilding High School, Tai Wananga Tu Toa and the Hillary Outdoor Education Centre for helping with volunteers to make the weekend run smoothly.
Official 2019 Hilux New Zealand Rural Games Results:
3rd equal - Raymond Toole and Carlos Jensen (both Manawatu)
A Rural Games special one-hour programme, hosted by Mark Leishman and Nickson Clark, will play on THREE at 4pm on Saturday, 16 March 2019. It will be replayed at 5pm on THREE+1.
The programme will then be repeated in April and available online at ThreeNow.
