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The Society operates as a non-profit organisation, registered with the Charities Commission. The volunteer Society was developed in 1969, focussing on the development of the NZ National Agricultural Fieldays event.

Lloyd Downing – President

Born and bred in Morrinsville, Lloyd is a dairy farmer with 200 hectares locally and down south. Lloyd is the director of Waikato Farmers Charitable Trust and contributes to the Society based on personal experience, industry contacts and a passion for agriculture. Lloyds personal motto sums up his can do attributes, “No such word as can’t, You can do anything – it’s just a matter of finding out how”.

John Gallagher – Vice President

Re-elected to the board in 2009 to offer governance experience. John is a Director of Gallagher Group Limited and has played large roles in local and regional governing bodies. Positions John has fulfilled include: Hamilton City Councillor, Hamilton City Properties Chair, Pro-Chancellor and Chancellor of the University of Waikato, Deputy Chair and Chair of the University of Waikato Foundation, Trustee the Order of St John both regionally and nationally, Regional Chairman of Habitat for Humanity and a national Director Habitat New Zealand, regional Chairman for the Chamber of Commerce, Inaugural Chairman Tourism Waikato, WEL Energy Trustee, and many more.

Warwick Roberts – Ag Fieldays Chairman

Started with Fieldays as a Young Farmer at Te Rapa 41 years ago. Dropped out of involvement after 7 years and devoted time to the dairy industry. First through Federated Farmers and then as a Dairy Company Director. After retiring from farming renewed involvement in Society and have developed my understanding of the complex event. Seconded to the board this year finding it a fascinating challenge.

Dr. Jack Parle – Immediate Past President

Joined Society in 1990 after retiring from the Research division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Foresty. Joined MAF in 1946 as technician until retirement. Attained PhD Microbiology and Zoology from Otago and London. Regional Director of Research division Wallaceville Research Station. 1986 appointed director of MAF Tech for North Island, responsible for research and advisory services. Appointed Director Food Technology Research Centre at Massey University conducting contract research in both NZ and overseas. 1994 retired and returned to Society, appointed Property Chairman, was elected President 2002 for 3 year term, reelected 2007 to 2010.

Chris Hughes

Chartered accountant for over 30 years, presently chairman and director of Staples Rodway Waikato LP, specialising in assurance services and management consulting. Director of a number of private companies including Smart Trade NZ Ltd, Summerfruit Orchards Limited and Moanui Laboratories Limited. Treasurer and board member of NZ Fieldays Society since 1999. Board member of Boat Show Fieldays J.V  with MIA. Board member of Opportunity Hamilton.Past member Hamilton Host Lions Club, Royal NZ Yacht Squadron, Auckland Racing Club. Present member Waikato Racing Club and Hamilton Golf Club.

Doug Baldwin, MNZM

Lifelong involvement in Agriculture & Horticulture. Developed several rural properties into highly productive units. Involved in urban property development for 15 yrs. Previously a prominent export grower of cut flowers to markets world wide for over 25yrs. Served on a number of committees consulting with Government on regulations etc. Involved in the Society for 42 yrs serving on majority of Committees as Chairman or VC prior to the first event at the Te Rapa racecourse. On management committee continuously since then, whilst serving on the Board. Elected President in 1993-94-95. Created Events Committee, became and remains Chairman. This section together with staff has been responsible for the creation of the Mystery Creek Events Centre becoming a major presence in the region.

Murray Bindon

Lawyer & exporter. Associated with Fieldays since 1968. Director since 2006. Past National President and World Vice President of Jaycees International, past District President and National Vice President of New Zealand Law Society and many other past and current community and business interests. Lives in Mexico and New Zealand.

Dr. Jenny Cave

Volunteer at Fieldays since 1998, using her French language skills to help with international guests. Elected to the Fieldays and Mystery Creek Board in 2000.  Heads AgHeritage section after years on the committee. Jenny is a lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management at Waikato University. She and her husband run a small thoroughbred training and breeding establishment near Cambridge.

Tony Begbie

15 plus years experience in sales, sales management, people leadership, business development, franchising & finance with Rural Bank, ANZ Bank, FMG, NZ Home Loans & Generation Homes. 10 plus years in property investment & development, plus overseas stock market investing experience. Committee Member of Waikato Property Investors Association and NZ Shareholders Association Waikato Branch, Associate Member of the Property Council of NZ, Business Mentor, Member of Institute of Directors, on the Executive Board of Waikato Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Mirage Apartment Complex Body Corporate, Auckland.

Peter Numan

Member of 14 years. Dairy farming at KioKio 2x 320 cow units with supporting land. Chairman and interest in equity partnership at Piopio. Strongly believe that we work with our clients /exhibitors to be bigger brighter better. Held a number of society roles, currently property chair.

Stephen Hoffman

20 year tenure with Mystery Creek,  served on the Motorshow & Boatshow  JV's,  Ag Fieldays Committee, Events Committee and the Board. Currently General Manager responsible for agricultural sales and business development to Gallagher’s worldwide distributor network. Extensive experience in rural sales and marketing both within NZ and around the world. Vision is to have Fieldays as the cornerstone event and  to use it as a springboard to bring other events to the Waikato and ensure  that  our world class event management skills are  utilised  to  attract  the  widest  range  of events and people to our fantastic venue.

Peter Nation

Member of Board 5 years. Currently National Sales Manager for Gallagher Group. 26 years in the Banking industry. Extensive experience in the rural industry through banking background, current employer and direct involvement in various aspects of farming Currently a Trustee, immediate past Chair and Current Treasurer for The New Zealand Farm Environment Trust. Peter believes NFS is the Waikato’s and probably New Zealand’s best kept secret and has huge potential for further growth and contribution to Agriculture and the Events industry.

Harmen Heesen

Member of the board to provide lateral thinking, growth strategy ideas and concepts which will help the National Fieldays be the best and largest specialized agricultural outdoor exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere and create strategies to capitalize on opportunities created by the infrastructure in place for the purpose of alternative events.