Mike Butterick MP - Rural Celebrations a win for the community and economy

Rural celebrations
– a win for the community and economy 

This week saw a full calendar of rural events across the Wairarapa Electorate and the lower North Island.

"Participating in local and regional events with an agricultural focus and celebrating industry success is important to me, but it's also important to our rural communities and the economy," says National MP Mike Butterick, Wairarapa Electorate.

Last week saw the annual Wairarapa/Hawke's Bay Dairy Industry Awards acknowledge farmers, sharemilkers, and workers from towns across Wairarapa, Tararua and Hawke's Bay. The past weekend saw people from across the electorate compete at three major annual events: the Rural Games, East Coast Young Farmers and Horse of the Year Show.

“These events allow for rural people to get together and share a good day out off the farm, but, importantly, they allow young people to see opportunities in rural industries for themselves," says Mike Butterick MP.

"This year's Wairarapa/Hawke’s Bay Share Farmer of the Year winner, Chris Hillier, is a prime example, an Aucklander from a non-farming background, now making a name for himself as a top dairy farmer in Carterton."  

“While the rural events themselves add value to local economies, the real gain is in their long-term contribution to the regional and national economy,” says Butterick.

“This Government is ‘going for growth’ and that means a strong economy that lifts incomes, helps Kiwis get ahead and will create jobs and opportunities here in the Wairarapa. Seeing rural skills in action, as well as understanding how our smaller communities support each other and have fun, is an important part of this story.”

Mike will be at the Central Districts Field Day, Friday 14th March.

Photo attached:
Mike Butterick MP and Jamie Robbie, FMG East Coast Young Farmer of the Year 2025 competition winner at the Masterton Solway Showgrounds, Saturday 8 March 2025.