New Look for Young Farmer Contest

The Ultimate Rural Challenge will now be brought to you by the colour blue, as the ANZ brand replaces The National Bank brand as the Principal Sponsor of the ANZ Young Farmer Contest.

The news was announced at an official launch in Christchurch last week, attended by Contest Patron Warwick Scott, Contest Officials, sponsors and past winners.

ANZ has sponsored the Young Farmer Contest since 2003 through its National Bank brand. A recent decision to bring the ANZ and National Bank brands together under ANZ means that the competition title will change.

But Graham Turley, Managing Director, Commercial and Agri for ANZ, pointed out that its support of the Contest would not change.

“We have been proud to be a part of this Contest for nearly a decade and we are excited that this is continuing.

“The agricultural sector is important to New Zealand and it’s important to us. We are the biggest rural lenders in this country, and we do a lot of work helping farmers get started, manage finances and plan for the future.”

The ANZ Young Farmer Contest’s Chairman Bevan Proffit said, “We appreciate the fact that ANZ is still committed to supporting our Contest. Our sponsor family are essential to keeping this Contest alive.”

Mr Proffit also acknowledged the volunteers who dedicate many hours and use their passion for the industry to make the events a huge success.

New Zealand Young Farmers CEO Richard Fitzgerald said that “the Contest develops and builds capability in our young people and grows the skills of all people involved”. He also spoke about the need to attract bright, young, innovative and talented minds into the agricultural industry and the Contest is one method to achieve this.  “Our relationship with ANZ is not only transactional; it is an investment in growing our young people.”

The first of the 23 District Finals took place in Christchurch on Saturday 29^th September and place getters from these events will progress to one of seven Regional Finals held throughout the country from February to April.  The Grand Final will be held in Auckland from May 15^th – May 18^th.

For more information go to www.youngfarmercontest.co.nz