Fieldays 2026 Honours Innovation, Sustainability and Visitor Experience as Top Exhibitors Recognised

Hamilton, New Zealand | 15 June 2026

Fieldays 2026 has once again demonstrated why it remains the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural event, with organisers recognising exhibitors who went beyond simply showcasing products to create memorable visitor experiences, innovative displays and meaningful sustainability initiatives.

Held at Mystery Creek, Fieldays attracts thousands of visitors, farmers, agribusiness professionals, innovators and industry leaders each year. While much of the attention focuses on new technologies, machinery and agricultural solutions, another important aspect of the event is the effort exhibitors invest in creating engaging, informative and welcoming environments for visitors.

This year, those efforts were formally recognised through the prestigious Fieldays Site Awards and the Fieldays Sustainability Awards, highlighting businesses that excelled in presentation, creativity, customer engagement and environmental responsibility.

Speaking at the awards presentation on Saturday, New Zealand National Fieldays Society President Graeme Austin acknowledged the significant commitment required to deliver standout exhibits.

“It’s evident to see the months of planning that go into creating these experiences,” Austin said.

The awards showcased a diverse range of exhibitors, from food vendors and agribusiness innovators to charities and sustainability-focused enterprises, reflecting the broad appeal and evolving nature of modern agricultural events.

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Creating Experiences, Not Just Exhibits

One of the strongest themes emerging from this year’s awards was the importance of visitor engagement.

Today’s event attendees expect more than brochures and product displays. They seek experiences, demonstrations, education and meaningful interactions with brands.

This trend was evident in the winner of the Best Food Vendor Site category, Get Loaded Food Truck.

Judges praised the business for combining a straightforward menu with fast service, quality food and strong branding. Clear signage and a welcoming team helped create an enjoyable experience that stood out in a highly competitive environment.

In the agribusiness category, AgriSea New Zealand Seaweed Ltd secured the Best Indoor Site Award after impressing judges with its energetic team, professional presentation and clear communication of how seaweed-based products can support modern agriculture.

The company demonstrated that technical agricultural solutions can be presented in a way that is accessible, engaging and easy for visitors to understand.

Meanwhile, the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand earned recognition for the Best Indoor Site in the non-agribusiness category by taking an innovative approach to public education.

Located within the Fieldays Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing Hub, the foundation’s exhibit featured a giant walk-through brain and staff members wearing crocheted brain-inspired hats. The interactive display attracted significant attention while providing visitors with direct access to experts and practical health information.

The exhibit highlighted how Fieldays increasingly serves as a platform for broader community education beyond traditional agriculture.

Large Outdoor Displays Continue to Impress

Outdoor exhibits remain one of Fieldays’ biggest attractions, and this year’s winners demonstrated the power of strong visual storytelling.

AFFCO New Zealand Limited claimed the Best Outdoor Site – Large category, with judges praising the company’s impressive entranceway, striking rural New Zealand imagery and thoughtful visitor flow design.

The site combined visual appeal with practical engagement opportunities, including tastings of New Zealand beef and lamb, creating an experience that connected visitors directly with the company’s products and the wider agricultural sector.

In the smaller outdoor category, My Little Pub captured attention with a unique backyard entertainment concept that generated considerable visitor interest throughout the event.

Judges highlighted the company’s distinctive visual presentation and ability to attract crowds despite operating within a smaller footprint.

Sustainability Moves from Trend to Business Priority

Beyond visitor engagement, sustainability emerged as another major focus at Fieldays 2026.

The Sustainability Awards, delivered in association with Instep, recognised exhibitors integrating environmental responsibility into their business models, site design and day-to-day operations.

Ravensdown was named the Sustainability Award winner in the large business category.

Judges highlighted the company’s commitment to energy efficiency, waste reduction and innovative material reuse programmes. Ravensdown’s efforts reflect a broader shift occurring across New Zealand’s agricultural sector as producers and suppliers respond to increasing environmental expectations from customers, regulators and international markets.

In the small business category, Pure Cabins received top honours for its off-grid modular building solutions.

The company’s approach demonstrates how sustainability can be integrated into every aspect of a business, from product design and construction methods to long-term usability and resource efficiency.

Instep Director Peter Birkett said the judging panel continues to be encouraged by the progress being made across the industry.

“Instep and the Sustainability Award judging panel continue to be impressed by the rapid progress exhibitors and stakeholders are making year on year,” he said.

Standout Exhibitors Recognised Across Multiple Categories

Among the most closely watched awards were the Fieldays Site Awards, which recognise exhibitors who create exceptional visitor experiences through creativity, presentation, innovation and engagement.

The Best Food Vendor Site Award was won by Get Loaded Food Truck, which impressed judges with its uncomplicated menu, efficient service and consistently high-quality food. Bright branding, clear signage and a friendly team helped create a memorable experience for visitors navigating the busy event grounds.

In the Best Indoor Site – Agribusiness category, AgriSea New Zealand Seaweed Ltd claimed top honours. Judges praised the company’s energetic and knowledgeable staff, strong visual presentation and clear communication of the benefits of its seaweed-based agricultural products. The exhibit successfully combined education with visitor engagement, helping attendees better understand the role of sustainable biological solutions in modern farming.

The Best Indoor Site – Non-Agribusiness Award went to the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand, whose highly interactive display became one of the most talked-about exhibits inside the Health and Wellbeing Hub. The site featured a large walk-through brain installation, while staff members wore crocheted hats designed to resemble brains. Visitors were able to interact directly with experts and receive information and advice, transforming the exhibit into a unique educational experience.

One of the most visually impressive winners was AFFCO New Zealand Limited, which secured the Best Outdoor Site – Large (300m² and over) award. Judges highlighted the site’s strong visual storytelling, impressive entranceway and striking row of flags displaying images from rural New Zealand. Combined with a welcoming layout and complimentary tastings of New Zealand beef and lamb, the exhibit successfully showcased both the company’s products and its connection to the country’s agricultural sector.

The Best Outdoor Site – Small (under 300m²) award was presented to My Little Pub, a backyard entertainment solution that captured attention with its distinctive concept and eye-catching display. Judges noted the strong visitor interest generated by the site and its ability to create excitement despite operating within a relatively small footprint.

Fieldays 2026 Site Award Winners and Finalists

Best Food Vendor Site

• Winner: Get Loaded Food Truck
• Finalists: Chakalaka SA Street Food, Banger Boys NZ

Best Indoor Site – Agribusiness

• Winner: AgriSea New Zealand Seaweed Ltd
• Finalists: World Wide Sires, Agricom, Nutrinza

Best Indoor Site – Non-Agribusiness

• Winner: Neurological Foundation of New Zealand
• Finalists: Lammermoor Distillery Ltd, Pepper and Me

Best Outdoor Site – Large (300m² and over)

• Winner: AFFCO New Zealand Limited
• Finalists: Halter, Makita (New Zealand) Ltd

Best Outdoor Site – Small (less than 300m²)

• Winner: My Little Pub
• Finalists: Active VMA, Macca’s Industry Training

Sustainability Leaders Also Recognised

Alongside the Site Awards, Fieldays celebrated exhibitors demonstrating leadership in environmental responsibility through the Fieldays Sustainability Awards, presented in association with Instep.

Ravensdown was named the Sustainability Award winner for Large Business, with judges recognising the company’s commitment to energy efficiency, waste reduction and innovative material repurposing. Ravensdown’s sustainability initiatives reflect the growing environmental expectations facing New Zealand’s agricultural sector and the company’s commitment to continuous improvement.

In the Small Business category, Pure Cabins received top honours for its innovative off-grid modular building solutions. Judges noted that sustainability principles were embedded throughout the business model, with designs capable of adapting to a wide range of housing needs while minimising environmental impact.

Instep Director Peter Birkett said the judging panel continues to be encouraged by the progress exhibitors are making.

“Instep and the Sustainability Award judging panel continue to be impressed by the rapid progress exhibitors and stakeholders are making year on year,” he said.

This section would make the article substantially stronger because it names every winner, explains why they won, includes the finalists, and gives readers a complete record of the 2026 Fieldays awards rather than just a summary.

A Reflection of Agriculture’s Future

The 2026 award winners highlight a broader transformation taking place across New Zealand’s agricultural and business sectors.

Success is increasingly being measured not only by products and services but also by customer experience, innovation, education and environmental stewardship.

Fieldays continues to evolve alongside these changing expectations, providing a platform where businesses can showcase not only what they sell but also the values they represent.

As agriculture faces challenges ranging from climate pressures and sustainability requirements to technological disruption and changing consumer expectations, events like Fieldays play a critical role in bringing together ideas, solutions and people.

This year’s award recipients demonstrated that the future of agriculture is not solely about production. It is equally about communication, connection, innovation and responsibility.

For visitors walking through the gates at Mystery Creek, those qualities were on display across every corner of Fieldays 2026, helping reinforce why the event remains one of New Zealand’s most influential gatherings for the primary industries sector.

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