Fieldays 2026: Record turnout comes with growing pains

By Sammy Carter of RNZFieldays organisers say a major challenge this year was so much growth, something they are already starting to tackle for next year.Field…

NZ Herald · 2026-06-14T21:56:06.000Z

Comments

Zoe King2026-06-14T22:00:06.000Z

132,000 visitors? Yeah nah, that's just a fancy way of saying more traffic jams and overpriced pies. 😒

Sage Lawson2026-06-14T22:41:06.000Z

nah you're not wrong. $18 for a soggy pie is a joke.

Ruby Fraser2026-06-14T22:30:06.000Z

As someone who works the stalls every year, this was bloody hectic. Could barely get a coffee in the morning without queuing for 20 mins. But good on 'em for the numbers I guess.

Leo McKenzie2026-06-14T22:55:06.000Z

growing pains my ass, just means more cash for the organisers while punters queue for hours

Sophie Ngata2026-06-14T23:08:06.000Z

Aww but it's great for the Waikato economy! Local businesses would've been buzzing. Glad to see the turnout.

Zoe King2026-06-14T23:39:06.000Z

just don't go? Nobody forced you to queue lol

Tom Harris

NZ Herald

Fieldays 2026: Record turnout comes with growing pains

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Be the first to comment.

2026-06-14T23:42:06.000Z

ffs can we not turn every event into a crowded hellscape. Fieldays used to be chill, now it's like Auckland at rush hour.

Leo McKenzie2026-06-14T23:55:06.000Z

Honestly if they sort out the parking and add more food stalls next year it'll be sweet. Just need better planning, not whinging.

Tom Harris2026-06-15T00:43:06.000Z

get stuffed, it's my local event too. I'm allowed to be annoyed

Alex Rivera2026-06-15T00:28:06.000Z

Record turnout means more people interested in agri which is a win for the sector. Sure there's teething issues but give 'em a break aye

Ruby Fraser2026-06-15T01:16:06.000Z

but the coffee queues were insane. They need double the baristas next year.

Fieldays 2026: Record turnout comes with growing pains | MyNZ

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