Palmerston North Showcases Spectacular Weather for 9th Ford Ranger NZ Rural Games & new New Zealand record was set

The Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games celebrated its ninth year with splendid weather and an exceptional display of rural sportsmanship. Founder Steve Hollander expressed delight at the heightened level of competition across various events including timbersports, shearing, sheep dog trials, fencing, and highland heavies competitions.

Palmerston North’s Adam Miller set a new New Zealand Weight For Height record – 16 feet, 3 inches, superseding Pat Hellier’s 2000 record of 16 feet.

Hollander remarked, “The competition level reached new heights this year, attracting participants and spectators alike. The crowds were solid throughout the weekend, with Saturday seeing particularly high attendance, and Sunday numbers exceeding those of the previous year.”

Looking ahead, Hollander shared plans for the 10th Anniversary Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games in 2025, aiming to make it the most memorable edition yet. This year’s event introduced new features such as axe throwing and a relaxation zone catering to individuals with accessibility needs, young families, and retirees, with plans for further expansion in the future.

Margaret Kouvelis MNZM, outgoing Chair of the New Zealand Rural Games Trust, expressed her delight in witnessing athletes in action and engaging young participants in traditional activities like tree climbing, egg throwing, and haybale racing. She emphasised the event’s mission of getting kids active, supporting rural sports and helping to bring rural and urban families together.

The weekend extravaganza, watched by tens of thousands of spectators over three days, marked a significant celebration of rural sports in Palmerston North. Brendan Bourke, with over 20 years of event management experience and now General Manager of the Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust in Hastings, has assumed the role of Chair of the New Zealand Rural Games Trust, with Margaret Kouvelis remaining on the Board.

In addition to the thrilling competitions, the event awarded a lucky winner with a $5000 Winter Weekend in Queenstown. Congratulations to Myah Wood of Palmerston North. This competition, created by Palmy Bid, the NZ Rural Games Trust, and House of Travel on the Square, aimed to promote spending in the CBD leading up to the Games and was announced on More FM.

Adam Miller from Palmerston North comfortably cleared 16 feet and 3 inches, before hitting the bar three times at a whopping 17 feet. Not content with that, Adam also eclipsed his own Rural Games record in the 28lb Weight for Distance. It wasn’t all plain sailing however, as former champions Jono Macfarlane and Jarna Mihaere pushed him hard, Jono finishing level on overall points but Adam taking the victory due to most individual event wins.

The Gumboot Throwing Team from Francis Douglas showcased exceptional ability and won the championship. Additionally, Liam Green stood out with an impressive individual throw of 34 meters, earning him the title of the best individual thrower.