“Our East Coast farming community has had an incredibly tough 2023 so we owe it to them to hold the Expo,” she says. “It is a chance for them to get off farm, meet agri-innovators, see what opportunities are out there to help with their businesses, and catch up with other farmers from across the region.”
The Expo is deliberately held mid-week so farmers can spend a day off-farm working on their businesses without losing the weekend.
“We are delighted to have our strategic sponsors — the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Rural News, Property Brokers and Agmardt — back on board. It shows a real commitment to this special event and a recognition of how key these are for our farming communities.”
Sue said the support the Expo continues to receive is humbling.
“We had such a brilliant programme ready to go for the 2023 Expo, including new events like the station and cadet challenges. I have had a chance to talk to stakeholders of late and that’s brought some exciting new ideas to the table for 2024. One thing is very clear — everyone is looking forward to the Expo.”
And while the trust couldn’t hold the 2023 Expo, they’ve certainly been busy. “We have been focusing on some smaller events since the cyclone to connect and check in with our rural communities. We rolled out 16 Backyard BBQs in April throughout rural Wairoa,” said Sue. “It was important to take these events to each community where farming families, shepherds, neighbours and the wider community could come together and enjoy a night off the farm without needing to drive to town.”
Online exhibitor and trade registrations for the Expo will open on the website —
www.eastcoastexpo.co.nz — in October once the venue is finalised.
East Coast Farming Expo
February 21-22, 2024
Wairoa, www.eastcoastexpo.co.nz
