Fieldays to kick off with tractor pull

Minister Steven Joyce and Prime Minister John Key at Fieldays 2014. Photo / New Zealand Agricultural Fielday

Thousands of people are expected at the first day of National Fieldays today with a tractor pull competition, fencing championships, air displays and machinery exhibitions set to entertain the crowds.

The annual event, that kicks off at Mystery Creek just outside of Hamilton, runs until Saturday.

Fieldays, which is in its 47th year, will host more than 1000 exhibitors.

There will even be a Rural Bachelor of the Year title up for grabs, with $20,000 worth of prizes, including an all-expenses-paid trip to a mystery location.

And the police will be bringing along their star tractor, kitted out with police decals, lights and a siren, as part of a rural crime prevention initiative.

Waikato inspector Paul Carpenter said the exhibit was designed to generate discussions on issues such as rural road deaths, personal safety, drug activities on farms, stock thefts and illegal hunting.

Event organisers predicted 100,000 to 125,000 attendees over the next four days with Prime Minister John Key also expected to make an appearance.

Fieldays chief executive Jon Calder said last year's event brought in more than $400 million to the New Zealand economy.

"We are looking forward to a fantastic event, a lot of hard work has gone into it."

Waikato Regional Council's public transport operations manager, Andrew Wilson, encouraged visitors to make the most of buses.

"More people using public transport will help relieve congestion across the city," he said.

Free buses have been organised to run between Mystery Creek and the Hamilton Transport Centre.

Anyone with a Fieldays ticket can also travel on all Hamilton buses between June 10 and 13.