Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation has announced he will step down from the role in December.
This will end nearly 30 years of his involvement with the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, which owns and operates the event every June as well as the 114 hectare site at Mystery Creek and the Events Centre.
“I have made the decision to step aside so I can pursue more personal interests and time with family. I feel that I am leaving the society in a very stable position with a bright future ahead,” Nation said.
Nation’s first involvement came as the representative of major sponsor ANZ, where he was regional manager rural and supported major capital investments such as the Mystery Creek Pavilion, followed by a variety of roles in the society before being appointed CEO in March 2016.
Nation said it had been a privilege being involved with Fieldays, though it was not without its challenges.
“There is no escaping the weight of running an event business during turbulent pandemic times, but successfully navigating such upheaval will undoubtedly go down as one of my highlights.”
Transitioning from governance to a senior management leadership role in the same organisation is not for the faint hearted, he said.
It gave him a unique experience and opportunity to help build something that opened a massive window across the world for New Zealand agriculture.
“As CEO I have been given many opportunities both in New Zealand and across the world, attending and speaking at conferences and events, hosting important international delegations, promoting agriculture and food producers while ensuring we grow New Zealand through our many activities in events.”
Nation said he had loved every minute of the role and leading a team that successfully stages the largest event in New Zealand annually while supporting the community, youth and the many organisations that need support.
“A job like this does not get much better”.
He said he was blessed with a very sound board, which had his trust and support.
“This success and growth are a direct result of these relationships which include leadership and wider team, including volunteers and members. Not many people land roles like my current one, and while my career has been full of unique opportunities, this last one will be the one that will be fondly recalled in my memory.”
Fieldays Society board chair Jenni Vernon said Nation had been instrumental in building enduring and trusted relationships in the community and with local and central government. These groups are all critical to the ongoing success of the southern hemisphere’s largest agricultural event as well as the Mystery Creek Events Centre’s social licence to operate.
“It has been my pleasure to be chair in Peter’s tenure as CEO and whilst change can be unsettling, Peter has set a solid foundation for the society’s next phase having worked tirelessly to bring the organisation into the future, developing sound systems and processes that underpin the society’s place on the world stage,” she said.
