NZ Plough 2010

WELCOME

Spilling over 160 hectares of Methven farmland, and six years in the planning, NZ Plough 2010 is one of the largest agricultural events to be held in the South Island. The four-day country fair features world-class ploughing, vintage ploughing, horse teams and harvesting as in days of yore. 

The Mobil Silver Plough Championships (April 15-16) will be followed by the World Ploughing Contest (April 17-18) when 58 contestants from 30 countries vie for world supremacy.  Methven’s Bruce Redmond will represent NZ in the world conventional ploughing class, Paul Henson (Palmerston North) in the reversible class.

Official international guests and supporters are expected to total around 600.

Deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, will open the event which includes one of the biggest vintage machinery displays seen in New Zealand in recent years. 

Purpose-sown crops will be harvested and processed, using machinery and methods common in 1920-1940s.  Trade, craft and food stalls, live entertainment, scenic helicopter rides and the Aorangi Young Farmer of the Year regional finals (Sat, April 17) offer a great way to end the school holidays. Children have free entry. 
 
Daily crowds of around 4000 are expected at the national ploughing finals with crowds swelling to 10,000 or more for the World Contest.  Tickets can be purchased through any CRT outlet. National finals $5/day  World contest $15/day.   A money-saving four-day pass is available at $30.

Look for the signposts on Highway 1 and Rakaia-Methven River Rd.    

SEE YOU THERE !!!

April 15             NZ Stubble Finals
April 16             NZ Grassland Finals
                          World Ploughing Opening Ceremony
April 17            World Stubble Finals
April 18            World Grassland Finals

Methven, located in the heart of the South Island, New Zealand is host to the 57th World Ploughing Contest, and is a thriving town servicing the local farming community and one of the largest commercial ski areas in the country - Mt Hutt Ski Area.

Gateway to Lord of the Rings country, Methven also offers a wide variety of attractions and recreational activities including golf, fishing, hot air ballooning, hiking and walking, alpine scenery
and jet boating on the magnificent braided Rakaia River.

Ample accommodation and restaurant facilities are available in Methven, and with over twenty eating establishments visitors to Methven can enjoy a wide variety of meals, from the classic kiwi takeaway or New Zealand country pub meal to delicious first-class restaurant fare.

Fresh vegetables, meat and poultry grown in our region are sure to satisfy even the most discerning diner and if you crave your morning latte and a tasty breakfast or brunch; you’ll find a great range of cafes to choose from as well, all within a few minutes walking distance from each other.

There is a wide variety of places to stay in our great town, you will find everything from farmstay, B&B's and backpackers right through to 5 star resorts. Click here for some of the international visitors' accommodation packages we are offering during the 57th World Ploughing Contest.

Information for Competitors, Coaches and Governors:

Essential Information Booklet - click here
Organising committee contact details - click here.

The World Contest is being held in conjunction with the New Zealand Ploughing Championships. The four day contest is being held under the auspices of the New Zealand Ploughing Association Inc on the J.F. Ridge & Sons farm 10km from Methven.

Tractors and ploughs available for hire - click here
Unofficial practice ground is available at NZ $750 plus GST (12.5%) per hectare - click here