Rural Contractors NZ will kick off its 2025 roadshows
Rural Contractors NZ is excited to announce that it will launch its highly anticipated 2025 roadshows in four key centres beginning in June. Aligning with the organization’s previous conference format, attendance at these roadshows will generally be complimentary, ensuring that members have access to valuable resources without the burden of additional costs.
The RCNZ Board officially confirmed the dates and venues for these events during its meeting in February, allowing members ample time to prepare for this engaging experience.
CEO Andrew Olsen highlighted the significance of the first roadshow, which is scheduled to take place at the Distinction Hotel in Hamilton on Tuesday, June 17. Following this inaugural event, another roadshow will occur the very next day at the Distinction Hotel in Palmerston North, making it a convenient opportunity for members in the region to participate.
The excitement continues into the following week, as the roadshow series will move to the Croydon Lodge in Gore on Tuesday, June 24, before wrapping up with a final event at the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch on Wednesday, June 25.
These roadshows promise to foster greater connection and community within the RCNZ membership.
Olsen further elaborated on the purpose of these roadshows, which were first initiated in 2022 to provide members with an alternative avenue for engagement aside from the now bi-annual conference.
This initiative reflects RCNZ’s commitment to accommodating the diverse needs and preferences of its membership, ensuring that all members have enhanced opportunities for networking, learning, and sharing insights within the rural contracting sector.
“We’ve got more than 600 members around the country and fewer than a third are able to attend our conference. So, we putting together the roadshows as a way for more members to engage.”
The roadshows will each kick off with an early afternoon session sponsored by Nufarm, which is dedicated to members who are agricultural sprayers. It will then merge with those focused on grass harvesting and other cropping-related activities.
Andrew is planning for some short industry updates including one on health and safety in rural contracting which will reinforce the RCNZ’s summer campaign on the risks of fatigue. The afternoon will finish with an opportunity to have a drink and catchup with old mates as well as some sponsor prize-draws.
Andrew says any Rural Contractor NZ member is entitled to attend and also bring three other family or staff members for free. Any further attendees are welcome but there will be a modest charge.
“Our balance sheet and the support of our partners allows us to put this on for our membership at no cost. We know that it’s a challenge for all of our members to get to our conference every second year, so we are bringing the roadshows to their regions.”
The 2026 RCNZ conference will be held in June next year in Christchurch.