Fieldays 2026: Tractor Pull at Mystery Creek - competition guide, categories, rules
The Tractor Pull, one of the longest-running and most popular events at Fieldays, is back again this year.
One of the most popular events on the Fieldays’ programme is moving into its second half-century this year.
The Fieldays Tractor Pull celebrated 50 years of competition at Mystery Creek in 2025.
The venue operations manager for the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, Marie Rechner, said what began as a modest contest in 1975 with two-wheel drive tractors and manual gearboxes had become one of Fieldays’ most beloved attractions, drawing crowds to catch the competition riverside.
“We fast-forward now to an era where we see four-wheel drive, computerised tractors, and engines up to 260 horsepower.”
Rechner, who has helped co-ordinate the event for the past seven years, said Tractor Pull competitors tested their machines and driving ability by pulling a specially weighted sledge along a purpose‑built track.
“It’s a contest that goes far beyond tractor strength, demanding precise tractor setup, traction management and driver skills.”
Competitors take part across several formats and classes.
In the Weight-Adjusted category, tractors compete based on their horsepower-to-weight ratio, while in the Weight Transfer class, entrants are grouped into five weight classes.
The Modified Tractors’ section features modified tractors (either pre-1985 or customised) – any machine that does not fit into other classes.
Modifications beyond standard specifications are allowed.
Tractors manufactured before 1985 with standard configuration and factory-fitted mechanical pull stop are covered in the Pre-85 category.
Rechner said entrants registered in advance, and the competition regularly attracted competitors from across the country, even the South Island.
Last year, for the first time in many years, the competition welcomed a South Island competitor from Gore and a group from the Bay of Plenty.
Top attraction
“This competition consistently ranks as one of the main attractions at Fieldays, remaining a place of great fun and camaraderie for competitors and spectators watching,” Rechner said.
“The noise, power and tension of each run create an experience that’s easy to watch and exciting for all ages.”
Rechner said that, combined with its long history at Fieldays, the Tractor Pull delivered a unique blend of tradition and entertainment that kept crowds coming back year after year.
Spectators can enjoy the action from the popular riverside viewing area, with the Little George Pop‑Up Bar by Hamilton‑based brewers Good George returning, with onsite food options, making it one of the best spots at Fieldays to relax and watch.
Last year, wet and muddy track conditions added an extra layer of difficulty to the competition.
Despite rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and contestants put their machines to the test in challenging conditions.
Rechner said that a wet and muddy track added an extra layer of difficulty to the competition.
This year, a new track surface has been laid, involving more than 3500 cubic metres of sand.
The 2025 Fieldays’ Tractor Pull was dominated by Waikato contestants.
In the Weight Transfer class, to pull a tractor-mounted sledge down the track, to which weight transfer is gradually added, the winner was contractor Trent Hickford from Gordonton.
Thomas Fare from Te Awamutu took out the Weight-Adjusted competition, where two tractors race side by side pulling a concrete block, with its weight adjusted following a measure of horsepower on a dynamometer.
The winner of the Modified Tractor competition was Wally Sinton (Cambridge), and the Pre-85 Class went to Andrew Reymer (Ōhaupō).
The Brent Garrett Sportsmanship Award went to Rowland Amber, and the First Time Entrant Award to Fergus Goodwin (Hamilton).
Rechner said past winners could enter again, with some returning to claim multiple wins over the years.
Family affair
The Reymer family from Ōhaupō boast three brothers who have been involved with the event since the inaugural competition in 1975.
Stephen, Bill and Andrew Reymer once swept the podium, taking home first, second and third place.
The younger generation of Reymers are also involved now, with Stephen’s son Daniel Reymer part of the Fieldays Tractor Pull organising team, and who has been part of the competition for more than a decade.
He also still competes.
Stephen’s other son, Mike, also takes part, and Bill Reymer competed last year too.
Entrants must be of driving age and have a current full New Zealand driver’s licence.
Rechner said the Fieldays Tractor Pull had health and safety requirements that must be met by all competitors.
Each category has its own rules and regulations, and, in terms of the tractors entered, they must fully comply with all safety regulations and have an approved safety frame fitted.
This year’s Fieldays Tractor Pull competition, in association with PTS Logistics, and sponsored by Corson Maiz and Giltrap AgriZone, takes place from June 10-13, at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton, with heats from Wednesday to Friday and the grand final on the Saturday from 8am to 1.30pm.