PM John Key opens Fieldays
Prime Minister John Key was at Fieldays to meet and greet.
Prime Minster John Key cut the opening chains of Fieldays at midday yesterday (subs: Wed) symbolising this year’s theme “Breaking barriers to productivity”.
Mr Key told the crowd packed tightly around the Village Green his Government was committed to improving agricultural productivity.
“One of the great things about the Fieldays is seeing the agricultural innovation. That’s the reason New Zealand is doing so well. It’s not because we subsidise our farmers, because we don’t.”
Mr Key said that New Zealand’s high dollar was not going anywhere any time soon. He applauded farmers saying it was because they are so productive that the dollar was so high.
During the ceremony guests were welcomed by Te Pau O Mangatawhiri Kapa Haka group.
The New Zealand flag and flags of prominent trading partners were raised by local military cadets.
The Fieldays flag was raised by the rural bachelors’ “Best of the best,” to an a capella rendition of Bing Crosby’s What a Wonderful World.
After the ceremony Mr Key, flanked by his security guards, shook the hands of passers-by constantly answering the question, “Are you having a good day at Fieldays?”
