Machinery

Ella Gorton with the new Ford Ranger Super Duty at the Wanaka A&P Show. Photo Claire Inkson With fuel prices climbing and global uncertainty starting to filter through to everyday decisions, the conversation around what people drive is shifting again. Petrol, diesel, hybrid - buyers are weighing it all up. At Macaulay Motors in Queenstown, Ella Gorton is having those conversations daily. There is interest in plug-in hybrids, she says, but for many South Island drivers - parti

Farmers and transport operators say rising fuel prices are already reshaping decisions on the ground, with pressure building across the entire rural supply chain.   Uncertainty is the word coming through loudest from rural New Zealand as fuel prices climb sharply off the back of the Iran conflict. Mid Canterbury farmer and Federated Farmers arable chairperson David Birkett says the impact is immediate - and far-reaching. “The vibe is uncertainty -everyone knows that fuel affe

It had been a long time coming for me to finally get behind the wheel of a Ford Ranger Stormtrak PHEV. Back in September 2023, I attended a media briefing ahead of Ford publicly announcing that it would be bringing an electrified version of the new-generation Ranger to market. At the time, this was a big deal. There were no electric options in the ute segment, let alone a plug-in hybrid that promised versatility without sacrificing the qualities that make a ute useful — namel

WHEN 11–13 February 2026 TIME: 9am to 5pm Each day WHERE: Waimumu, Gor e, 12km from Gore. 575 Waimumu Road, Gore 9774 TICKETS: Adults: $25 Children under 16: Free Students with valid student ID: Free   What’s On Exhibitors Over 700 exhibitors showcasing the latest in rural technology, machinery and innovation from New Zealand and overseas. Competitions and Live Action • CablePrice Regional Excavator Operator Competition • TPNZ Tractor Pull featuring four classes • Speed Shea

Angel Nobel, with sons Charlie (left) age 18 months and Archie (four), launched Little Rides in May after attending a charity gala focused on encouraging young people into trades. Supplied. Children from Ashburton to Ashley can now enjoy a ride-on experience they will never forget, thanks to a new Canterbury business that uses digger hire to fund free rides for children who might otherwise miss out. Little Rides, launched in May by Christchurch mother and banking professional

A competition for the “biggest splash” added to the fun of the event. Supplied Images courtesy of Velocity Photography When Darfield’s Emma Burke heard someone mention the term “passenger princess,” she didn’t laugh it off.  Instead, it sparked an idea that would see women from across Canterbury stepping up, taking control, and learning practical skills behind the wheel. “The words passenger princess were used, and I went ‘what?’” Emma said. “Our boys are very involved with t

When Springfield engineer Andrew Gillies decided to step back into machinery design, he knew exactly what he wanted to build: a drill tough enough for New Zealand terrain and smart enough to meet the needs of modern farmers. “I used to build drills for another company, and later I hired out agricultural equipment, including seed drills,” Gillies explains. A dealer told Gillies they had lost their agent and asked if he had ever thought about building a drill – and for Gillies,

Back-country pest control boss on the trucks that keep his crews safe and the systems behind them.