Young Farmers Backed by Blue Wing Honda for Four Decades

Young Farmers Backed by Blue Wing Honda for Four Decades

As the longest-standing sponsor of the ANZ Young Farmer contest, Blue Wing Honda has seen many talented young people take the title over the years – 40 of them to be precise.

Matt Bell of Aorangi was the latest to be awarded the coveted prize, winning the 2015 Grand Final of the ANZ Young Farmer Contest at Taupo over the weekend. Now in its 47th year, the contest known as ‘New Zealand’s ultimate rural challenge’ tests competitors’ mental dexterity and physical stamina while showcasing the sophistication of modern farming.

For New Zealand-owned Blue Wing Honda, 2015 marks their 40th year as sponsor of the Young Farmer contest. With many of the company’s 52 dealers based in rural communities, the long partnership with the contest reflects Blue Wing Honda’s close ties with the agricultural sector, and a commitment to the farming community, through good times and bad.

Blue Wing Honda product featured in the 2015 Grand Final of the ANZ Young Farmer Contest.

Blue Wing Honda Brand Manager Damien Smyth says Honda’s links with the farming community go back generations.

“Honda has been producing ATVs for over 40 years and Honda products have been used on New Zealand farms for as long as we’ve been involved with the contest. Honda motorcycles are proven performers in New Zealand conditions and our wide range of two wheel and four wheel farm bikes and utility vehicles are an established part of the local farming landscape,” says Smyth.

Smyth says Honda’s substantial market share in the rural sector is due to the fit-for-purpose nature of Honda products.

“The Honda range continues to grow stronger and better with constant product evolution. Primarily they are durable, reliable, and have a lower cost of ownership over the lifecycle of the vehicle,” says Smyth.

Plenty of Honda product featured in the Grand Final to celebrate the 40 year partnership, and contestants finished the agrisports component by mowing the number ‘40’ into the lawn with a Honda mower. Riders sponsored by Blue Wing Honda also put on a freestyle Motor Cross (MX) demonstration for the Agrikids event, and Blue Wing Executives cooked a BBQ for the kids.

Honda motorcycles and power equipment made up some of the fantastic prize packs on offer to competitors in the regional and grand finals. Contest winner Matt Bell received a Honda ATV and generator worth $19,700 as part of his $75,000 prize pack.

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