Rattle ya dags and get yourself to Fieldays

15 June, 2017

It’s that time of year again where what seems like every ute in the country converges on Mystery Creek in Hamilton for Fieldays. 2017 sees the biggest event yet with hundreds of companies spruiking their wares to the masses of visitors that’ll pass through the gates of Mystery Creek over the coming days.


The scale of the event is immense. 

The scale of the event is immense. 

Unfortunately, I’m afflicted with city slicker-itis which renders most of the products on display useless in my day-to-day life. But like any good Kiwi bloke with an imagination and an internet connection, I can dream of joining the farming fraternity. I can look at pieces of land and half million dollar tractors imagining I know the difference between a post hole borer and a cow.


The Isuzu D-Max demonstrating its 49 degree hill-crawling capabilities.

The Isuzu D-Max demonstrating its 49 degree hill-crawling capabilities.

Of course, I was interested in was the cars, and there are plenty to choose from. Some new manufacturers have gone all out in putting together amazing stands for the event. This is not only an opportunity to show off new models and their current range, but to do get in amongst the community and speak with current and prospective customers.


Toyota are taking their relationship with Swanndri seriously.

Toyota are taking their relationship with Swanndri seriously.


Volkswagen have jumped on the "clothing your car" bandwagon, too. 

Volkswagen have jumped on the “clothing your car” bandwagon, too. 


7,000kg towing capacity on show from the now right hand drive Dodge Ram.

7,000kg towing capacity on show from the now right hand drive Dodge Ram.

I was also impressed by the number of classic and race cars companies were using on their stand, be it a sponsored race car or a tidy old ute


Coresteel Brute taking pride of place

Coresteel Brute taking pride of place


Kombi pickup in stunning condition

Kombi pickup in stunning condition

For the actual farmers among us, there is certain to be some value adds for every part of your operation so we encourage you to head to Mystery Creek and get amongst the action. The event is running until this Saturday so you’d best rattle ya dags!

For more information, visit www.fieldays.co.nz

Lunch with … Rodger Anderson

At first, I wondered if I’d driven up the wrong driveway. The car in the garage was an early Mustang resplendent in royal blue with two broad gold stripes, which was not what I was expecting. I knew that Rodger Anderson, who made his name in Minis and a BMW 2002, was a Porsche man these days — the other end of the spectrum from American muscle. I had no idea of his affection for Detroit iron. It didn’t take long to discover just how passionate this former Saloon Car Champion is about cars, as long as they’re interesting.

Back from the brink – 1968 MGB GT

Auckland classic car enthusiast Kerry Bowman soon realised he had a massive job on his hands in restoring his classic 1968 MGB GT. When Kerry and his MGB first appeared in New Zealand Classic Car in March 2021, in “Behind The Garage Door”, the stripped-out shell had revealed some nasty surprises. Once the true extent of the hidden damage was discovered, the work would normally have been handed over to a professional fabricator. However, with the assistance of experts such as MG specialist restorer, Paul Walbran, Kerry has completed an impressive restoration and saved this car from the scrapheap.