Business Hawke’s Bay Chief Executive Carolyn Neville says that a team fact-finding trip with Hastings and Napier councils to Fieldays 2017 highlighted the opportunity to promote the Hawke’s Bay region as a whole as an agribusiness destination, provide a focal point for our local exhibitors and foster sector development.
“Many Hawke’s Bay businesses already exhibit at Fieldays, but they’re doing so as individuals. This year we’re taking a fresh approach and uniting under the ‘Think Hawke’s Bay, Great Things Grow Here’ regional business attraction umbrella to profile our region.”
The Fieldays initiative is a collaboration between Business Hawke’s Bay, Hastings District Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Wairoa District Council, Napier City Council, Central Hawkes’ Bay District Council and Napier Port.
Think Hawke’s Bay will have a stand in the main pavilion and provide lots of information about the region and the opportunities and support available for agribusinesses. Think Hawke’s Bay will run a ‘Win a weekend in Hawke’s Bay’ competition to raise awareness of the region and encourage Fieldays visitors to check out Hawke’s Bay exhibitors and enter the prize draw.
National Fieldays CEO Peter Nation says: “We are delighted to be hosting Think Hawke’s Bay at the 2018 Fieldays. The event now enjoys a huge international interest.
“We are thrilled to see support from Hawke’s Bay, who are a very important region in supplying among other things, horticulture, wine and cropping together with conventional sheep and beef. This region is also supported by a very efficient Port with large throughputs of logs along with other important exports.
“Our theme this year is the future of Farming and we believe that for New Zealand to grow and continue to succeed we must work as collaboratively as possible and all regions must work toward a common goal of growth and property for all New Zealanders,” he says.
Carolyn Neville says taking an innovative and collaborative approach at Fieldays is an opportunity to move forward for the region, with Business Hawke’s Bay and Hastings District Council working together on the Fieldays initiative, with the support of partners.
“Hawke’s Bay is a fantastic place for agribusiness and supporting industries.
There’s a lot that makes our place special; it’s all about getting agribusiness owners and people that work in the sector to quite literally ‘think Hawke’s Bay’ and consider relocating, opening an office or investing.
“There’s a wealth of support and knowledge available to businesses that wish to relocate. The Think Hawke’s Bay team is incredibly well connected and has the people and the track record to make a difference,” she says.
There will also be a Hawke’s Bay ‘Ambassador’ – David Todd from Toddy Talks - on the Think Hawke’s Bay stand, a face familiar to many from the rural sector.
“Toddy is the ideal person to take on this role, given his experience in the sector, knowledge of the region and ability to communicate with people from all walks of life,” says Mrs Neville.
David Todd was part of the Hawke’s Bay fact-finding team that visited Fieldays last year. He says: “Mystery Creek is one of the first things that goes in my calendar at the start of the year.
“Being able to represent Hawke’s Bay, with all that we have to offer, makes this year’s event something to really look forward to. We have so much to offer in Hawke’s Bay so this collective approach to promotion makes a lot of sense. I’m sure we will uncover opportunities for both Hawke’s Bay businesses and those enquiring from outside the region,” says Toddy.
The presence at Fieldays supports Work Area 6 of Matariki – Hawke’s Bay Regional Economic Development Strategy (HBREDS), which focuses on becoming a beacon for investment, new business and migrants. Business Hawke’s Bay is the lead agency for Action 6.5 and is tasked with developing an agribusiness programme to identify specific sector issues and opportunities for business development and growth.
