Organisers were well-pleased with the second annual New Zealand Dairy Expo in Matamata.

Event manager Amanda Hodgson was “rapt” over support from farmers and exhibitors for the February event at Bedford Park.

Site numbers grew from 85 to 130, with more than 3000 people coming through the gates over two sun-soaked days.

“I’ve had lots of good feedback from farmers,” said Hodgson. “It’s been awesome.”

Farmers attended from as far afield as Northland and the Wairarapa for the specialist dairy event.

Hodgson said there was a good variety of sites, with strong sales reported.

“It was a good quality event.”

The programme included Agri-Women’s Development Trust general manager Julia Jones, who gave “state of the nation” talks on both days.

Hodgson said, “more of a seminar schedule” (maybe one or two speakers per day) is being considered for next year.

The small organising team was now looking forward to next year’s expo, possibly late-February to avoid clashing with similar events around the country.

This year’s edition filled the No.3 field at Bedford Park and, if interest is forthcoming, Hodgson said the expo footprint could be extended to also include the No.2 ground for the 2026 edition.

Up to 150 sites could then be accommodated.

“It will remain totally dairy,” said Hodgson.

This year’s exhibitors will be given priority for 2026 bookings, with registrations open in June.

The NZ Dairy Expo will return to Matamata next year. Photos / STEVE EDWARDS

Public entry will remain free of charge.

“We want to keep it low-key and grassroots,” said Hodgson.

One of the site-holders was Federated Farmers’ Waikato.

Dairy Section chairman Matthew Zonderop said the expo was a “good event for everybody”.

“It was an opportunity to show that we’re still out there and advocating for farmers.”

As a sharemilker, he likes the scale of the event, with its focus strictly on dairying.

“It feels close-knit, not too big.”

NZ Dairy Expo organisers pay a hireage fee for use of Bedford Park to primary users United Matamata Sports (UMS).

UMS committee member PJ Williams said a percentage of the expo fee goes to the club’s junior rugby programme.

They also had a free site at the expo, with a food tent generating further funds.

Williams said another part of the expo hosting fee goes towards UMS’ redesign of the changing rooms underneath the grandstand at Bedford Park.

This will cater for women’s rugby, both players and referees.