FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/01/2013
The ANZ Contest is heating up!
The District Finals are completed, the Regional Finalists have been found, and the anticipation is building because the
next phase of ANZ Young Farmer Contest is about to begin. The ANZ Young Farmer Contest, now in its 45th year, is New
Zealand’s Ultimate Rural Challenge, inspiring excellence, showcasing innovation and growing human capabilities.
District Finals are the entry level for the Contest and over 300 New Zealand Young Farmer members from throughout the
country entered in one of 23 District Finals held in the last few months of 2012.
Each District Final was organised and run by a team of local volunteers.
Contest Operations Manger Hilary Phillips says: “once again we had a tremendous turnout at the District Finals across
the country, with increased numbers on last year. Every District Final was challenging, innovative and really tested the
Contestants.”
The District Final modules tested competitors’ practical and theoretical knowledge and ranged from backing a heavy
roller around a tight course to welding the icon of our nation a “Kiwi” figure.
With the eight Regional Finalists confirmed from each Region, the Regional Finals series kicks off in February. Northern
will be first to find their Grand Finalist with their Regional Final taking place on February 9th, followed by the
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Region on February 16th. Claudelands plays host to the East Coast Regional Final on February 23rd
and Palmerston North is the location for the Taranaki/Manawatu Regional Final on Friday 1st March. The Aorangi Regional
Final is taking place on March 16th, the Otago/Southland Regional Final is on 23rd March and rounding off the Regional
Finals for 2013 is the Tasman Final on 30th March.
Once again the new crop of Young Farmers will battle it out in the TeenAg and AgriKidsNZ Competitions that will take
place alongside the Regional Finals.
The ANZ Young Farmer Contest Grand Final 2013 is headed to Auckland and will be a classic case of country comes to town.
The Ultimate Rural Challenge will take place from May 16th – 18th.
ENDS