News

Expressions of interest to participate in the region’s first event-scape design challenge, the Master Plan Design Challenge, closed this week. The opportunity to reshape Mystery Creek Events Centre’s 88 hectare property appealed to 11 specialist firms based within New Zealand and abroad. Organisers and land owners, National Fieldays Society, were pleased with the level of entries considering the tight two week application period.

Following a scrupulous judging process, three finalists have been invited to continue the competition. Each finalist company is awarded $5,000 for this achievement. Assets & Facilities Committee Chairman Tony Begbie elaborates;

“The panel were extremely impressed by the calibre of applicants, presentation standards and the range of master planning experience; local, national and international.”

“The objective selection process focused not only on capability, but also understanding of the project, the proposed methodology, and what different perspective the applicants could bring to Mystery Creek Events Centre.”

In addition, entrants were judged on relevant experience and team composition. All three finalists rated highly in each category:

GHD Ltd – www.ghd.com
GHD has been active in the professional services business for more than 80 years. Since its inception, GHD has assisted global communities to realise their potential and create lasting value by delivering innovative and sustainable solutions. GHD is a company built on partnerships. It continues to be an enduring force to connect, collaborate and communicate with their clients to solve their challenges. Leading team GHD is Melissa Clark, her technical specialisms include urban design, transport planning and landscape architecture both nationally and internationally.

MOAA Architects – www.moaa.co.nz
MOAA architects are a team of dedicated professionals based in Hamilton. They combine their individual abilities and experiences from their diverse backgrounds to deliver innovative and successful projects for each of their clients. Their team is committed to common values of innovation, design quality, sustainability and the creation of space. Spearheading the team from MOAA is Tim Horne who has extensive experience across a range of project scales and has developed a reputation for an inquisitive and innovative approach to design.

Beca – www.beca.com
The Beca Group is one of Asia Pacific’s largest privately owned multidisciplinary consultancies. They deliver professional services including planning, architecture, urban design and landscape architecture, engineering and project management. They work together towards developing and delivering high quality built environments. Project Director for Beca is Richard Douch who has led the planning components of a number of growth management and / or tourism related projects within the Waikato.

Finalists have until 5.00pm Friday 11th May 2012 to submit their site design and rationale for the expansive Mystery Creek campus. Winners will be announced at a function on Friday 25th May. The winning firm will be invited to work with Mystery Creek Events Centre to develop their design, including consultation with stakeholders and technical refinement of the plan. The first phase of the project will commence before the end of the calendar year.

Further information on Master Plan Design Challenge can be found at http://mysterycreek.co.nz/masterplan.

[ENDS]

Contacts:
Media enquiries to Ariana Tucker, Mystery Creek Events Centre Communications Advisor, 07 843 4497 arianat@mysterycreek.co.nz.

Competition enquiries to Carene Cohen, Project Coordinator – Master Plan Design Challenge, 07 843 4497, masterplan@mysterycreek.co.nz

Mystery Creek Events Centre today announced it is taking the first step toward a long-term, massive redevelopment of its entire 88 hectare campus.

Owned by National Fieldays Society, it is calling on architects, urban designers and planners throughout New Zealand to participate in its ‘Master Plan Design Challenge.’ Contest. Participants will draw up their recommendations for a site master plan and the finalists will each receive $5,000. The winner will be invited to work with Mystery Creek Events Centre to develop the winning scheme, including consultation with stakeholders and technical refinement of the proposal.

Jon Calder, National Fieldays Society CEO, says developing a new master plan for Mystery Creek Events Centre is a major step forward in achieving the Society’s vision.

“Our vision is to be the best multi-functional events organisation in New Zealand, providing high quality events and services that add value to our stakeholders.

“Over the years, our venue has largely evolved around the needs of National Fieldays and other agricultural events. However, more and more we are hosting large stay-on-site festivals, multi-day conferences and major national exhibitions. We now find that our major events are focussed across a broad cross section in addition to our major brand “Fieldays”. Therefore, we need to ensure our campus evolves with the needs of the entire events industry, providing flexibility and scalability to meet the needs of our customers.”

“Creating the ultimate master plan for the site and working towards making the plan a reality will help us firmly stamp our mark as one of the best venues for super events in Australasia,” explains Mr Calder.

Relevant companies are asked to register their interest to participate in the Master Plan Design Challenge by 5pm Monday 2nd of April. Once successful finalists are confirmed, designs and rationale must be submitted for judging by 5pm Friday 11th of May. The winner will be announced on Friday 25th of May with the winning design released to the public. For more details, visit Mystery Creek Events Centre’s website www.mysterycreek.co.nz/masterplan.

Mr Calder said once the winning site master plan was selected, the organisation would prioritise expansion projects and progress redevelopment as finances allowed. He said he expected the first phase of the Master Plan project to commence before the end of the calendar year.

Tony Begbie, Mystery Creek Events Centre board member and chair of the Society’s Asset and Facilities Committee, says having a Master Plan will help the Centre invest wisely for the benefit of the National Fieldays Society Members and the wider Region.

“Mystery Creek Events Centre is a non-profit organisation and any surpluses generated from our own events are invested back into our property and facilities. Having a new Master Plan will allow us to continue to invest more strategically and plan intelligently for the future.

“And, as we continue to grow as a leading events venue, we can provide even greater economic benefits to Hamilton City and the greater Region,” says Mr Begbie.

Participants in Mystery Creek Event Centre’s Master Plan Design Challenge will be asked to consider site layout, facilities, buildings and infrastructure. This includes: new event footprints, car parking requirements, broadband needs, roading layouts, new covered exhibition space, additional conference and meeting rooms, plus sustainable environmental considerations. The needs of current super events such as Fieldays, Equidays, THE Expo and Parachute will also be incorporated into the master plan design.

Interested parties can download the Mystery Creek Master Plan Design Challenge guidelines at http://mysterycreek.co.nz/masterplan or phone 07 843 4497 for further information.

[ENDS]

Contacts:
Media enquiries to Ariana Tucker, Mystery Creek Events Centre Communications Advisor, ph 07 843 4497 arianat@mysterycreek.co.nz .

Expression of Interest entries to the Master Plan Design Challenge are to be made at www.mysterycreek.co.nz/interestform

The regional final of the National Bank Young Farmer contest will be held this Saturday 17 March at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton.

Long standing supporter of the Young Farmers and owners of Mystery Creek Events Centre, National Fieldays Society, are proud supporters of the event and are delighted to host the regional final at Mystery Creek.

For further information on the event: View the Young Farmer contest competition details here.

To visit their website click here.

Space available at NZ’s heavy equipment hub

Exhibition sites are now available at the Transport and Heavy Equipment Expo (THE Expo) held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, 7-9 March 2013. The industry event, held every four years, is the only event in New Zealand where heavy equipment enthusiasts can network, purchase equipment and check out new developments in the industry, all at the one location. THE Expo is a snapshot of the transport, heavy equipment, freight, forestry, construction and associated trades, paving the way forward in the sector.

By securing space at THE Expo, businesses have the opportunity to connect with an average of 14,500 trucking devotees. THE Expo Prospectus is available here, with site applications closing on 1 March 2012 for the 2013 event.

It is essential for companies involved in the industry to have a presence at THE Expo, not only to meet with clients and showcase equipment and services, but to also increase sales. At the 2009 event, 24% of exhibitors made over $50,000 each in sales and 10% made over $1,000,000, cementing the benefits of exhibiting at THE Expo.

THE Expo attracts visitors from all over New Zealand and overseas who are seriously involved in the sector. The 2009 event attracted 13,222 visitors, with 85% actively involved in the industry. The inaugural event in 2005 saw 15,592 attendees to the exhibition at Mystery Creek Events Centre.

There are many areas to display vehicles and machinery, additional to exhibitors’ static sites. The Power & Performance Zone is dedicated to demonstrating equipment to potential clients, whereas the Live Drive area allows customers to test drive vehicles on sealed roads.

The experienced Mystery Creek Events Centre team organises THE Expo with the support and input from industry associations; Motor Industry, NZ Truck-Trailer Manufacturers Federation and NZ Equipment Suppliers Association. Media Partners, NZ Truck & Driver and The Radio Network also contribute to the success of the event.

The DC-3 Trust is pleased to announce that the restoration of Ossie James’ iconic DC-3 aircraft will commence this week. The restoration process includes replacing corroded panels and halting the corrosion, engineering, stripping and painting the DC3 into JAL livery. After nearly 38 years in the Ag Heritage complex at Mystery Creek Events Centre, the DC-3/C47 B Aircraft ZK-AZL will be tactfully moved to Hamilton International Airport to undergo restoration and a full repaint by Aviation Painting Services (APS), a new business at the airport.

To enable the shift, the DC-3’s wings will be carefully dismantled and relocated separately. Transportation to the APS hangar through Hamilton International Airport will occur early Wednesday afternoon. The majority of the work will be completed in 3 weeks and aims to restore the appearance of the aircraft to its former glory as one of New Zealand’s first aerial top dressers, and the first DC3 in the world to be converted to topdressing. Ongoing work will concentrate on the details like the lights, instruments and the interior.

The repaint, restoration and move could not be possible with the support of Hamilton International Airport’s Operations Manager, Simon Hollinger and longtime James Aviation associate; Warwick Johnson of Johnsons House Removal, who is transporting the DC-3 to APS free of charge and Engineer, Brett Puddle of Aeromotive Ltd.

For enquiries about the move or project please contact Lynnette James on 027 2073068 or email info@dc3trust.co.nz or check out the website www.dc3trust.co.nz

Mystery Creek Events Centre is busy preparing its 92-hectare campus to become one of the country’s largest, temporary campsites at Parachute 2012.

The Mystery Creek Events Centre events team is expecting the number of campers to top 18,000.

“Every year at Parachute, our team creates New Zealand’s largest temporary campground.  We are preparing our grounds for about the same number of campers we had at last year’s event, which was just short of 20,000,” says Vanessa Richmond, Events Manager.

This is the ninth year the Parachute Music Festival is being held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, just south of Hamilton. The event kicks off on Friday, 27 January and runs through 30 January.  

Ms Richmond said that preparing the Mystery Creek Events Centre grounds for the huge influx of campers involved adding to the centres unique infrastructure with additional toilet and shower facilities to meet the demand of visitors to the festival living on site for the weekend.

Last week Parachute Music announced a ‘pay what you can afford’ family pass, in an effort to boost ticket sales in light of ‘tough economic times.’  Chief Executive Officer, Jon Calder says Mystery Creek Events Centre has gone to great lengths this year to assist event organisers in making savings where possible.

“Mystery Creek Events Centre is owned and operated by the NZ National Fieldays Society, which is a not-for-profit organisation. The majority of our profits are invested back into our organisation, while some profits are used to support events held at our venue.

“Over the past 6 months, we have worked with the Parachute team to engineer costs out of the event, in addition to making a significant contribution to ensure the continued success of the festival.

The Society is focused on growing all events which is paramount to our continued success by ensuring sustainability and longevity of iconic events such as Parachute. This approach  allows us to make these concessions more easily than other venues around New Zealand,” outlines Mr Calder.

Mr Calder confirmed that Mystery Creek Events Centre has a contract through to 2013 with Parachute Music to host the mega-event and that discussions were already in progress with the organisers to extend that contract “well beyond 2013”.  Mr Calder said the event continues to have a unique fit in the marketplace, which combined with the experience of camping at Mystery Creek Events Centre, provides a unique festival atmosphere unlike any other in New Zealand.

“When you look at Parachute’s nine-year history partnering with Mystery Creek Events Centre, we have experienced some incredibly good times, hosted some fantastic events and worked with Parachute to ensure every year was better than the last. Our team are focused on delivering the best Parachute Music Festival yet,” explains Mr Calder. 

Event giant National Fieldays Society has elected to cancel new music festival RetroFest, in the face of slow ticket sales and the withdrawal of one of the festival’s headline acts. Scheduled for 9-11 March, 2012 at Mystery Creek Events Centre; the move to cancel was purely a business decision by the Society’s Board of Directors.

Set on Mystery Creek Event Centre’s 92 hectares of land, RetroFest intended to be a three day celebration of music and culture of the 1950s to 80s. Entertainment included; 10cc, Village People, Leo Sayer, Gerry and The Pacemakers and Hello Sailor. Regardless of the event’s offering and promotion, ticket sales remained significantly below targets; to the point where continuing the event was no longer sustainable.

The concept of RetroFest was researched 18 months prior to development in October 2010. Due diligence suggested there was a gap in the market for a music event of this type but despite positive public response, interest hadn’t translated to ticket sales.

Established 44 years ago, National Fieldays Society are renown for thriving events including the Transport & Heavy Equipment Expo, the Waikato Boat Show and one of New Zealand’s largest exhibitions; National Agricultural Fieldays. Mystery Creek Events Centre is a seasoned music event venue, hosting Parachute Music Festival since 2003, More FM Winery Tour and Shiverdown 2010.

The success of the Society’s new equine event, Equidays, which saw 12,000 attend in November, proves there is clear demand for more events in the region. Organisers are still committed to bringing new, Society-owned events to the region however, new events can only prosper when there is public support and it’s proven financially viable.

Chief Executive Officer, Jon Calder, says they will be using this as a learning experience to hone their offering to the market;

“The move to cancel RetroFest was a responsible business decision; we are not in the business of putting on events that aren’t fiscally responsible. We need to listen to our market and in the current economic climate where we are competing for discretionary spend across a multitude of alternatives, ticket sales were just not there.”

Calder says the Society have a robust strategic program planned for 2012;

“We have a program of key projects based around realising venue potential. There has been over $500,000 invested in improving facilities and infrastructure over the past 12 months and a significant capital investment program will devote several million into our facility in 2012”.

The NZ National Fieldays Society is a not for profit with any surpluses generated invested in further development of the events centre and facility, and used to fund significant donations to the community. This year gross contribution from hosted events at Mystery Creek Events Centre increased from 42% in 2010 to 58% of total income to the Society. This was an encouraging result, given the challenging period for events in the region.

Last week representatives of Gerry and The Pacemakers advised the cancellation of his Australian tour, including his only New Zealand appearance at RetroFest.

National Fieldays Society is grateful to those who supported RetroFest and purchased tickets. All buyers will be refunded the full ticket price.

For ticket enquiries contact Ticketek 0800 TICKETEK (0800 842 538).

For event enquiries contact Mystery Creek Event Centre on info@mysterycreek.co.nz or 07 843 4497.

Demand from the success of New Zealand’s first and only national equine showcase, means Equidays will return to Mystery Creek Events Centre in 2012. The event’s dates have been well considered and researched to reduce conflicts with other major horse events. Equidays 2012 will be held the first weekend in November from Friday 2nd through to Sunday 4th.

The inaugural Equidays held 18 to 20 November 2011, surpassed organiser’s expectations with 12,619 attending over the three day equine exhibition. Equidays purpose is to showcase all sectors of the industry and offer educational clinics with their range of renowned international and local clinicians. The 2011 event featured clinics from 30 top trainers and riders including; David & Karen O’Connor, Jan Ebeling, Josh Lyons, Andrew McLean, Double Dan Horsemanship, Ian Francis, Jackie Chant, Dr. Andrew McLean, Jody Hartstone and Vaughn Jefferis.

Feedback from the visitor and exhibitor surveys showed a positive reaction to the first Equidays. The majority of exhibiting businesses were confident they would return in 2012 and the demand for sites from new exhibitors has been encouraging. Equidays 2012 Prospectus will be available online mid February, to register interest email info@equidays.co.nz .

Events Manager, Vanessa Richmond, is eager to build on the success of the first event;

“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response from our inaugural event and are looking forward to bringing another remarkable equine showcase to the region in 2012. Our team is focused on continuous improvement and we are already working through the valuable feedback we’ve received from the industry to develop an even better Equidays for 2012.”

All sectors of the equine industry have equal opportunity to be involved with Equidays. The infrastructure and facilities at Mystery Creek Events Centre can cater for a variety of arenas and discipline activities. The Equidays site map is being redrafted for 2012 to meet the demand for increased space from returning and new disciplines to the event.

Equidays is developed by not for profit, National Fieldays Society, owners of Mystery Creek Events Centre. Special thanks to 2011 Equidays sponsors; University of Waikato, Cambridge Stud, Ebbett Prestige, Classic Hits, ANZ, Hy Gain Feeds, Waipa District Council, Tip Top, Equine Trader and SBI Productions and the Total Presentations Solutions Group. Equidays will return 2 to 4 November 2012. Tickets on sale in June from www.equidays.co.nz/tickets

Mystery Creek Events Centre became the heart of the horse industry over the weekend with 12,619 horse enthusiasts from all sectors of the equine industry attending the inaugural Equidays event. Held 18-20 November, event organisers are delighted with the turnout and quality of visitors and are eager to build on the success. Due to the overwhelming response from the industry, it has been announced that Equidays will be an annual event with dates for 2012 yet to be confirmed.

Vanessa Richmond, Events Manager believes, “Equidays 2011 marks the first of many successful events. The number of visitors we have seen through the gate indicates that we have hit our mark with Equidays becoming a staple event on the equine calendar.”

Exhibitor expectations have also been surpassed with many exhibitors underestimating the volume of product they would sell, having to replenish stocks and exceeding sales targets on the very first day of the three day event. 

Equidays aim is to be an educational showcase of the entire sector. Visitors were impressed with the calibre of the international and local clinician line-up, gaining valuable knowledge and new skills relating to any horse discipline. A highlight of the event for many visitors was The Three Horsemen. Ben Longwell, Dan Steers and Scott O’Malley were each given an unbroken horse in which they had to try to get under saddle. Each horse had a different issue and the crowds have found great value in watching and learning about their assorted techniques. 

The Equidays Night Show’s were another high point of the event with visitors enthusiastically attending each show. ‘A Touch of the Classics’, focused on the dressage and jumping and was attended by those who appreciate the proficiency associated with the disciplines. The ‘Heroes of Horsemanship’ was an entertaining showcase with whip cracking, roman riding and relay races; all utilising natural horsemanship methods.

The infrastructure and facilities at Mystery Creek Events Centre made the venue the perfect location for Equidays. The Cambridge Stud Equestrian Performance Arena measuring 70m x 40m impressed the international trainers and riders with the sheer size and surface quality of the arena. Surface supplier, Onsite Development Solutions owner Roger Baldwin was pleased with the results; “We are proud to have been involved in the construction of Equidays indoor arena using the latest laser levelling technology to achieve a consistent even and level depth in the arena.” 

The team at Mystery Creek Events Centre are highly skilled in developing and delivering large multiday events of all types. Equidays was no exception as the team delivered a world class horse event to the nation.

Full line up of clinicians; David & Karen O’Connor, Jan Ebeling, Josh Lyons, Andrew McLean, Double Dan Horsemanship, Ian Francis, Jackie Chant, Peggy Cummings, Tim Featherstone, Andrew McLean, Vaughn Jefferis, Grant Mackie, Kate Southcombe, Jacque Williams, The Three Horsemen – Scott O’Malley, Ben Longwell, Dan James, Andrea Raves, Jody Hartstone, Travis Morgan, Andrew Scott, Dressage NZ, Leigh Taylor, Maxine Te Moananui, National Saddle Fitting and Thorsten Kaiser.

Equidays is developed by not for profit, National Fieldays Society, owners of Mystery Creek Events Centre. Special thanks to Equidays sponsors; University of Waikato, Cambridge Stud, Ebbett Prestige, Classic Hits, ANZ, Hy Gain Feeds, Waipa District Council, Tip Top, Equine Trader and SBI Productions and the Total Presentations Solutions Group.

Over 300 horses are making their way to Mystery Creek Events Centre today for the first ever Equidays this Friday to Sunday. Held 18 to 20 November, Equidays will be the ultimate showcase of the equine industry and aims to remain a staple in the equestrian calendar. With an anticipated 12,000 visitors heading to Mystery Creek this weekend, the region is set to benefit from an influx of horse enthusiasts.

Over the next three days Equidays visitors will see some of the world’s best trainers and riders in action including; Tennessee based Josh Lyons, dressage maestro Jan Ebeling, master horseman Ian Francis, equine behaviourist Dr. Andrew McLean and Olympic medallists David & Karen O’Connor. For most international clinicians, the trip to Equidays will mark their very first visit to New Zealand.

Being a horse and action based event, Mystery Creek Events Centre’s 92 hectare property required unique infrastructure; including creation of 14 demonstration areas and arenas. Well known Fieldays landmark; the Tractor Pull area, has transformed into a specialised 60m x 30m Western Arena, which will be home to Equidays NZ Cutting Horse and NZ Reining Association competitions. Mystery Creek Pavilion’s indoor ‘Cambridge Stud Equestrian Performance’ arena, measuring 70m x 40m and housing 450m3 of sand, took two weeks to develop. The impressive ring was jump tested by third time Olympic Cup winner, Katie McVean and horse Dunstan Zasjany with great results.

Equidays Fast Facts
• 30 top clinicians & trainers
• 250 participants & riders
• 300 horses
• 100 volunteers – ‘Hy Gain Helpers’
• 500m2 arena sand
• 700m arena fencing
• 2.5km security fencing
• 14 demonstration areas & arenas
• 17 disciplines
• 55 NZ Pony Club campers
• 40 Mystery Creek Events Centre staff
• 120 participants camping on site

Full line up of clinicians; David & Karen O’Connor, Jan Ebeling, Josh Lyons, Andrew McLean, Double Dan Horsemanship, Ian Francis, Jackie Chant, Peggy Cummings, Tim Featherstone, Dr. Andrew McLean, Vaughn Jefferis, Grant Mackie, Kate Southcombe, Jacque Williams, The Three Horsemen – Scott O’Malley, Ben Longwell, Dan James, Andrea Raves, Jody Hartstone, Travis Morgan, Andrew Scott, Dressage NZ, Leigh Taylor, Maxine Te Moananui, National Saddle Fitting and Thorsten Kaiser.

Equidays is developed by not for profit, National Fieldays Society, owners of Mystery Creek Events Centre. Special thanks to Equidays sponsors; University of Waikato, Cambridge Stud, Ebbett Prestige, Classic Hits, ANZ, Hy Gain Feeds, Waipa District Council, Tip Top, Equine Trader and SBI Productions and the Total Presentations Solutions Group.

Equidays will be held this Friday to Sunday, 18 to 20 November, 2011 at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton. Buy tickets online at www.equidays.co.nz or at the gate during the event. A portion of Equidays gate sales directly benefit event charity benefactors; Riding for the Disabled and SPCA Horse Welfare.