It’s a milestone year for specialist hubs at Fieldays.

Programme manager Steve Chappell says the hubs continue to go from strength to strength, and in 2026, it is fantastic to celebrate 10 years of the Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing Hub and five years of the Forestry Hub.

“Both have made great impact during their time at Fieldays so far, and we are very thankful to our collaborators Mobile Health and Te Uru Rakau for their continued support,” Steve says.

“All of our hubs and feature areas showcase key aspects of rural life, from careers and advocacy to innovation and technology such as drones.

“We’re excited to see the companies, products and ideas on show in June.”

The Fieldays’ Careers & Education Hub will be once again the focus for all visiting school groups and those with a desire to look at a career in the primary industries.

Steve says the breadth and range of career options is showcased in the hub and at more than 50 sites around Fieldays on the Careers Trail.

“We have training providers, support organisations, and companies like Halter with over 50 vacancies to fill, wanting to talk to our visitors.

“The opportunities for those with science, technology, environmental, political, health backgrounds, as well as those with experience in farming, growing, and support services will be even more plentiful that last year.

Steve says automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and human-assisted robotic work continue to be at the forefront of the school visitors’ curiosity, and there is no shortage of opportunities on display at Fieldays this year.

All the important farming advocacy groups will again be under one roof at the Fieldays Rural Advocacy Hub.

It’s a one-stop-shop for grassroots farmers to discuss the big issues facing rural communities – and give them a platform to put their questions and suggestions to MPs of all stripes as election year campaigning heats up.

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the organisation will be announcing its 12 election priorities at the hub.

“That’s what we did in the lead-up to the 2023 election and it proved a very successful exercise,” Wayne says.

Federated Farmers national president Wayne Langford. Photo / Supplied

“Our election priorities focused the political parties’ attention on what would really shift the dial for farmers, rural New Zealand, and the nation’s primary produce export-led economy.

“We’ll do it again and we’re confident we’ll have plenty of ministers, coalition Government MPs and their current Opposition challengers at the advocacy hub to rub shoulders with farmers and get some dialogue going.”

Among the partners who have confirmed they will have stalls at the hub are Federated Farmers, Farmers Weekly, Rural Women NZ, DairyNZ and the Wilding Pine Network.

The Health & Wellbeing Hub started as a one-off at Fieldays.

Mark Eager, chief executive of Mobile Health, which co-ordinates and sponsors the hub, says that before it was formed, associated sites were spread across Mystery Creek.

“They weren’t so visible.”

A decade ago, the first Health & Wellbeing Hub was put together and asked to return after proving to be the second most popular attraction on its inaugural outing at Fieldays.

Mark says the hub regularly attracts 30,000 visitors at the four-day event.

Mark Eager, chief executive of Mobile Health, which co-ordinates and sponsors the Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing Hub at Fieldays. Photo / Supplied

This time around, the hub will feature a variety of past participants and newcomers.

Returning are Rural Support, Bowel Cancer New Zealand and the Breast Cancer Foundation.

First-timers include Fertility Associates, Sexual Wellbeing NZ and Chemist Warehouse.

Mark says the Health & Wellbeing Hub is “as big as it’s ever been”.

“Rural people don’t have a chance to access such services all under one roof.”

Bringing together forest growers and groups from across the forestry and wood processing sector, the Forestry Hub is a space to tell forestry’s story.

The Hub will again highlight how trees produce vital fibre for communities, contribute to productive farms and resilient landscapes, and are paving the way to New Zealand’s low-emissions future.

A wide range of people from across the sector will be on hand to answer questions and share insights into forestry and wood processing in New Zealand, including forest growers, wood processors, farm foresters, scientists and not-for-profit groups.

The Innovation Hub will again feature contestants and finalists in the Fieldays Innovation Awards.

These represent the innovation lifecycle in three categories: Prototype, Early-Stage, and Growth & Scale.

Special recognition is also given to younger innovators, with an award for the Fieldays Young Innovator of the Year.

All award participants are in the running for the People’s Choice Award.

Fieldays 2025 Drone Zone. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer

Also back is the Drone Zone, showcasing the exciting opportunities drones are opening up for agriculture.

Supported by the Agricultural Drone Association (ADA), the hub will feature the latest technology, plus advice on drone careers and information on certification and training.

Fieldays is on from June 10-13 at the Mystery Creek Events Centre near Hamilton.

Tickets and information: https://www.fieldays.co.nz/