Grand Final tickets selling out

Grand Final tickets selling out

The showcase event of the rural community is just weeks away and tickets for events are selling out fast.

New Zealand Young Farmers members, supporters and competitors will descend upon Christchurch for the 2014 ANZ Young Farmer Contest Grand Final, 3-5 July.

Over a demanding three days the seven Grand Finalists will be put through their paces in a number of challenges, tested on all facets of New Zealand agriculture and farming.
Lincoln University Library will play host to the Official Opening, Thursday 3 July, 4.30pm, as the Grand Finalists come together for the first of two head-to-head challenges. Free for spectators.

It’s early to bed for the competitors as the practical day begins 8am Friday 4 July at Lincoln University. Throughout the day contestants will go through a series of practical modules in a test of speed, skill and stamina. They will also give presentations, face interview panels and be tested in human resource challenges. Gold coin donation entry to competition grounds.
After the practical day it’s straight to the ANZ Sponsors and Speeches Dinner at Wigram Airforce Museum. Here, contestants will put their rhetoric talents to the test to deliver a convincing speech to the audience and judges on a topic specific to each of them.
TICKETS: NZYF Members $90, Non-members $100, Table of 10 $900

The next morning, Saturday 5 July, is the AGMARDT agri-business breakfast, held at Russley Golf Course. High profile speakers will be in attendance including: The New Zealand Merino Company CEO John Brackenridge, K9 Natural Food CEO Calvin Smith, Scales Corporation Managing Director Andy Borland, Craggy Range Vineyards Managing Director Steve Smith and AGMARDT Chairman Dean Nikora. The discussion topic will be “Leaders and innovators taking New Zealand forward.”
TICKETS: NZYF Members $30, Non-members $35

Saturday evening is the culmination of months of preparation – the live-televised evening show held at CBS Arena in Christchurch. The quick-fire quiz round hosted by Mark Leishman, is the last hurdle contestants must overcome in New Zealand’s ultimate rural challenge. By the end of the evening one Young Farmer will be named the 2014 ANZ Young Farmer Contest Champion.

The show will be televised on TVNZ OnDemand Saturday evening and TV1 11.30pm, then replayed Sunday 6.45am TV1 and 9.30pm Heartland.
The champion and the spectators will then head across to Addington Raceway where the festivities will carry on into the evening with black-tie Celebratory Ball.
TICKETS:
Show Only: NZYF Members $60, Non-Members $65, Youth (17 & under) $25
Show & Ball (+18): SOLD OUT (organizers have indicated more tickets may be released closer to the event)

The Grand Finalists vie for the coveted champion’s title and the top prize pack worth nearly $70,000 including prizes, cash and scholarships from ANZ, Lincoln University, Silver Fern Farms, AGMARDT, Ravensdown, Honda, Husqvarna and Vodafone.

The seven contestants this year are:
Reuben Carter, Tasman
Dean Rabbidge, Otago/Southland
Brad Lewis, Taranaki/Manawatu
David Kidd, Northern
Dwayne Cowin, Waikato/Bay of Plenty
Sully Alsop, East Coast
James Davidson, Aorangi

Running alongside the 46th ANZ Young Farmer Contest are the future Young Farmers – AgriKidsNZ & TeenAg competition Grand Finals and the New Zealand Young Farmers National Competition Finals: Gun City ClayTarget Shooting, CRV Ambreed Stock Judging and Farmlands Fencing. Other events include the TBfree New Zealand NZYF Chairman’s Dinner, annual NZYF bus trip, and the preliminary round of the World Young Shepherds Challenge.

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