Sir William Gallaghers vision and legacy honoured with National Fieldays Life Membership

Sir William Gallagher has been awarded a National Fieldays Life Membership in recognition of his decades-long contribution to the event and New Zealand’s agri-tech industry.

Sir William has been a part of Fieldays since its inception, playing a pivotal role in its foundation alongside other influential farmers in New Zealand.

Gallagher’s presence at the very first Fieldays in Te Rapa in 1969 was a milestone moment, as the company was already emerging as a leader in farm technology and export markets. Sir William, alongside his brother John, had been exhibiting at agricultural field days in Australia before 1968 and was an early advocate for establishing a national event in New Zealand.

A champion of agricultural innovation, Sir William has been instrumental in Gallagher’s success at Fieldays, using the event as a platform to introduce world-first products, engage with farmers, and showcase the company’s latest technological advancements.

“Fieldays has been an important part of Gallagher’s journey,” says Sir William. “It has always been a place for us to connect with farmers, showcase new developments, and contribute to the growth of our farming sector. Receiving this recognition from the Fieldays Society is truly an honour.

“Our long-standing partnership with Fieldays goes beyond exhibiting,” says Sir William. “It’s a place and a community of people dedicated to fostering new ideas, supporting the primary sector, and shaping the future of farming in New Zealand. It is something truly special.”

Over the years, Gallagher has launched numerous breakthrough products at Fieldays, won multiple Innovation Awards, and used the event to gain valuable farmer feedback to make sure that new solutions met farmers’ needs.

“Having the support of an innovative company like Gallagher from the very beginning played a key role in laying a strong foundation for Fieldays,” says National Fieldays Society Chair Jenni Vernon.

“Sir William has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership—bringing together talented teams and maintaining a clear focus on progress within the industry. Even during challenging times, Gallagher remained committed to investing in new technologies, fostering a steady stream of fresh ideas. This life membership is a modest but heartfelt tribute to Sir William’s profound impact in helping shape Fieldays into the world-class event it is today.”

Fieldays Head of Customer & Strategic Engagement Taryn Storey says Sir William’s leadership has reinforced Fieldays’ reputation as a global hub for agri-tech.

“Through Gallagher, Sir William has helped position Fieldays as a premier stage for showcasing world-leading innovation,” says Taryn. “His ongoing support has helped attract international interest, turning Fieldays into a truly global agricultural event. We are hugely grateful for his incredible vision and support.”

Gallagher has supported and exhibited at Fieldays every year since its launch - never missing an event. The company is a staple presence, not just due to its large site but also through its iconic orange stock sticks, sold to support the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

For two decades, Gallagher ran the legendary fence-building competitions at Fieldays, which became known as the ‘Olympics of Fencing.’ The tradition remains a strong part of the event today, reflecting the values of practical skill, forward thinking, and community that Fieldays embodies.

“I am incredibly proud of and grateful for this recognition and what it represents,” says Sir William. “The Gallagher team is always looking for new ways to innovate, adopt the latest technology, and we will continue to work alongside Fieldays to set up Gallagher’s future at the event and support the future of farming.”