Hamilton company gives the Prime Minister a warming cup of tea at Fieldays

With due date looming the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern heads into the bullring at this year’s Fieldays armed with a cup of Zealong tea. Photo: Horiana Henderson

Due to deliver any day, the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern headed into the bullring at this year’s Fieldays surrounded by dignitaries, security, a deluge of media and armed with a warm cuppa from the Zealong Tea Estate.

The Hamilton company is located on the outskirts of Hamilton and produce a range of teas from green, oolong, and black to their own in-house derived blends. The tea offered to our country’s leading lady came from their Heritage Collection.

Zealong General Manager Gigi Crawford displays the company’s Heritage Collection Chamomille tea given to expectant mother and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Fieldays. The tin design was by Wintec graduate Hanna Nicholls. Photo: Horiana Henderson

Zealong General Manager Gigi Crawford said, “We gave her Zealong’s own chamomile tea because it’s low in caffeine and it’s the most suitable to help her keep calm and relaxed.”

The Prime Minister had recognised the company from a visit to the estate two years ago, when she was the Mt Albert MP, and said it was an “impressive operation”.

The expectant mother said she enjoyed Chamomile tea and that it was “very kind” of the Zealong crew to brew it for her.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern listens intently to a Ministry for Primary Industries staff member at Fieldays. Photo: Horiana Henderson

Looking a little tired, yet calm and relaxed among the masses, Ardern graced many a Fieldays visitor and exhibitor with a smile, an attentive ear, and a spot of conversation. All the while with her fingers lightly wrapped around a Zealong cup nestled near her small baby-bump.

When asked what people were saying to her, Ardern said, they were, “mostly just wishing me good luck”.

“New Zealanders are incredibly generous people and have been generous in their support of me regardless of the politics but just of me as another human being going into a new stage of life.”

The Prime Minister shares some time with the New Zealand public at Fieldays on the eve of entering a new stage of life. Photo: Horiana Henderson

In 2018, Fieldays celebrated their 50th year and Morrinsville-raised Ardern acknowledged the occasion’s significance from a personal perspective.

“You can see for yourself that this is such a huge fixture for the farming community but also for the Waikato and I remember many years ago just how important this event was and remains.”

Her appearance on Thursday was her last public outing before baby arrives. She recalled having “very fond memories” of Fieldays.

“I’m really pleased that I could make it. I wanted to be here.”