Marque’s support for grassroots

Ford New Zealand continued its support for the “backbone of the country” last weekend in Palmerston North.

The blue oval celebrated a historic night of achievement and community wellbeing at the Ford NZ Rural Sports Awards alongside record attendance at the Ford Ranger NZ Rural Games.

Held at Awapuni Racecourse, the gala awards event did more than just crown the country’s elite rural athletes.

It also marked a milestone for the sector with the official launch of the NZ Rural Sports Hall of Fame and the presentation of the inaugural contribution to rural mental-health award.

“It was a fantastic evening when we got to witness the incredible heart and soul of rural communities celebrated on one stage,” says Ford NZ’s marketing manager Mathew Slade, pictured above at the awards.

“Supporting these awards is about more than the world-class athleticism on display, although that’s truly inspiring. It’s about honouring the determination and shared spirit that connects our brand to people who power rural New Zealand.”

The success of the weekend was strengthened by the hands-on support of dealer principal Matthew Barr and his team at Courtesy Ford.

As the local Palmerston North-based dealership, the business played a vital role in the event’s logistics, providing essential vehicle support and a familiar face for thousands of attendees.

“We’re proud to support an event that brings so much energy and recognition to our region,” says Barr. “Seeing the community come together to celebrate our rural heritage is a highlight for the Courtesy Ford team, and reinforces our commitment to people who live and work in the heart of the country.”

The awards celebrated athletes who have conquered world stages, from timber sports in Milan to the treetops of Christchurch and the steeplechase tracks of Tokyo. 

However, the introduction of the mental-health award was a reminder of the challenges faced by those on the land.

The Ford Ranger NZ Rural Games transformed Te Marae o Hine – The Square in Palmerston North into a vibrant hub of competition and community over the weekend with an estimated crowd of 45,000-plus.

Founder Steve Hollander declared the 2026 edition the biggest and best yet, thanks to the conditions and atmosphere created by the crowd.

He says: “What a weekend. The sun shone, the fans turned out in record numbers and the atmosphere in Palmy was pumping. To see such a huge crowd of people packing The Square, cheering our athletes and having a go was phenomenal.”