11 December 2013
Warwick Roberts elected President NZ National Fieldays Society
The Annual General Meeting for the National Fieldays Society was held last Thursday night at Mystery Creek Events
Centre.
Experienced dairy farmer and local resident, Warwick Roberts, was elected President of the NZ National Fieldays Society
and starts his term immediately.
Mr Roberts had held the position of Vice President of the Society since 2012 and takes over the presidency from Lloyd
Downing, whose term ran 2010-2013.
In speaking about his appointment, Mr Roberts said he was very proud to be leading such a prestigious organisation.
“This society has been built around the voluntary contributions of many, and I am very aware of the huge value they add
to the success of the events held here.”
Mr Roberts has been a member of the NZ National Fieldays Society for 13 years and was Chair of the Agricultural Fieldays
Committee from 2009-12.
Mr Roberts has a longstanding involvement in dairy farming, having grown up on a dairy farm he bought his first cows
when he was just 18 years old. A member of the Cambridge Young Farmers, he helped with fencing at the very first
Fieldays, held then at Te Rapa, and later at Mystery Creek.
Having since built a farming operation of 140 hectares and 440 cows, Mr Roberts has experienced the path of sharemilker
to farm owner. He has also represented Dairy Section Federated Farmers in Wellington and was elected to the Board of
Cambridge Dairy Co, and then Waikato Dairy Co, with 14 years of service.
“It has been a privilege to be associated with those organisations which have contributed to the betterment and welfare
of farmers and the agricultural community in general,” he said.
“I am exceedingly proud to be known as a member of the NZ National Fieldays Society and I pledge to continue the great
work that has been done by my predecessors, and to work to enhance the practices and principles upheld by this
organisation.”
NZ National Fieldays CEO Jon Calder said, “Warwick has a strong connection to the Society's core purpose; the
advancement of agriculture, and a real empathy for our people, the staff and volunteers that make the Society what it
is. We have made significant progress over the past three years, strengthening and growing our organisation and have
laid the foundations for our future. I look forward to working with Warwick and the Board to deliver our goals under his
chairmanship."
Peter Nation will take over from Mr Roberts in the role of Vice President of the Society. Mr Nation was elected to the
Board in 2004 and has over 15 years of active service for the Society. Currently the National Sales Manager for
Gallagher Group, he has extensive experience in the rural industry through a long banking background, current employment
and direct involvement in various aspects of farming.
KEY INFORMATION:
Fieldays 11-14 June 2014
The New Zealand National Fieldays® Society is a charitable organisation founded in 1968 for the purpose of advancing
primary industry.
NZ National Fieldays will be held 11-14 June 2014 at Mystery Creek Events Centre. Located just ten minutes from
Hamilton, Mystery Creek Event Centre’s purpose built facility is the ideal venue for the largest agricultural expo in
the Southern Hemisphere.
The event is proudly supported by strategic partners - ANZ and the University of Waikato.
ENDS