Strong Connections and Rural Voices at Fieldays 2026

Board and staff members from Day 1

A mix of board and staff members travelled to Mystery Creek, Hamilton this month to attend National Fieldays, one of the biggest events on the rural calendar. It was a fantastic opportunity to once again be based in the Advocacy Tent, proudly representing rural women from across Aotearoa.

Throughout the week, our team connected with a wide range of rural women, hearing firsthand what matters most to them and the challenges they are facing. These conversations are invaluable in ensuring the voices of our members are heard and reflected in the work we do.

Fieldays also provided an important platform to engage directly with political leaders. We met with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Leader of the Opposition Chris Hipkins, and representatives from across all political parties. These conversations focused on the issues impacting rural communities and our Fieldays gender paygap campaign, with our team advocating strongly on behalf of our members. We look forward to strengthening these relationships through follow-up discussions in the months ahead.

Alongside advocacy, one of our key goals this year was to build connections and take advantage of media opportunities . . . and there were plenty to be had. Chief Executive Sandra Kirby and National President Heather Sorensen featured on PGG Wrightson’s Blue Shed Diary podcast, and took part in a number of additional interviews throughout the event, helping to amplify the voices of rural women and highlight the work we do.

We also ran a Fieldays giveaway, showcasing products from The Country Women’s Collective. This included items from Elm Labs, Mrs Robbie’s Pickles, and Neudorf, as well as vouchers from Jenny Malcom (Clarity Coach and EFT Tapping Practitioner) and Antler Apparel. The giveaway generated great engagement and helped shine a light on the incredible rural women-owned businesses within our community.

Another highlight was our involvement in the Rural Support Trust’s Rural Connection Passport initiative. This brought a steady flow of visitors to our space and introduced us to a younger demographic, helping us expand our reach and connect with the next generation of rural women.

Overall, Fieldays 2026 was a valuable and energising experience, strengthening relationships, raising awareness, and continuing to advocate for rural communities across Aotearoa.