Lifting the lid on 50 years In early 1995, letters were delivered from organisations and individuals around the country addressed to the National Fieldays Society’s time capsule.

The stainless-steel capsule was placed in the entrance to the Mystery Creek Pavillion upon the building’s completion in May 1995 with the instructions to be opened in the Society’s 50th year.

Flash forward 23 years to 2018 when the time arrived to see what was inside and what the predictions were for how the agricultural industry has changed.

Surrounded by a selection of Society board members, staff, past presidents, life members and members; the capsule was lifted revealing many perfectly in-tact letters and various pieces of history.

There were forecasts of artificial breeding, genetic engineering, a cashless society, an increase in corporate farming and lifestyle blocks and possums becoming extinct.

A selection of these letters have been compiled to form a slice of the Society’s history.

Enjoy! Contents

AgResearch 4 Anthony Blunt (Young Farmer of the Year 1991) 5 ANZ 7 Bethlehem College 8 Bethlehem College - Amanda Savill 9 Bethlehem College - Claire Gilling 10 Bethlehem College - Paul Benn 11 Ecoworld New Zealand 12 Grant Catto (Young Farmer of the Year 1992) 13 Hamilton City Council - Mayor Margaret Evans 15 Jack Wilson (New Zealand National Fieldays Society Past President, 1985-1986) 17 John Scott (New Zealand National Fieldays Society Past President, 1982-1984) 21 Matamata Piako District Council - Mayor Ken Thomas 23 New Zealand Apple and Pear 25 New Zealand Dairy 27 New Zealand Kiwifruit 29 Ossie James (New Zealand National Fieldays Society Past President, 1969-1975) 31 District Council - Mayor Grahame Hall 35 Council - Richard Steele on behalf of Mayor Garrick Workman 37 Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu (Māori Queen) 38 Technipharm International 40 Vern Shadbolt (contributed at the request of Federated Farmers) 41 Waikato Diocesan School for Girls - Hannah Wiltshire 42 Waikato Diocesan School for Girls - Sarah Milicich 43 Waikato Diocesan School for Girls - Jane Skerman 44 Council - Mayor Bruce Berquist 46 Walton Holmes - New Zealand National Fieldays Society (Past President 1990-1992) 47 Wanganui District Council - Mayor Chas Poynter 49 AgResearch Anthony Blunt (Young Farmer of the Year 1991)

ANZ Bethlehem College Bethlehem College - Amanda Savill Bethlehem College - Claire Gilling Bethlehem College - Paul Benn Ecoworld New Zealand Grant Catto (Young Farmer of the Year 1992)

Hamilton City Council - Mayor Margaret Evans

Jack Wilson (New Zealand National Fieldays Society Past President, 1985-1986)

John Scott (New Zealand National Fieldays Society Past President, 1982-1984)

Matamata Piako District Council - Mayor Ken Thomas

New Zealand Apple and Pear

New Zealand Dairy

New Zealand Kiwifruit

Ossie James (New Zealand National Fieldays Society Past President, 1969-1975)

Rotorua District Council - Mayor Grahame Hall

Ruapehu District Council - Richard Steele on behalf of Mayor Garrick Workman Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu (Māori Queen)

Technipharm International Vern Shadbolt (contributed at the request of Federated Farmers) Waikato Diocesan School for Girls - Hannah Wiltshire Waikato Diocesan School for Girls - Sarah Milicich Waikato Diocesan School for Girls - Jane Skerman

Waipa District Council - Mayor Bruce Berquist Walton Holmes - New Zealand National Fieldays Society (Past President 1990-1992)

Wanganui District Council - Mayor Chas Poynter