Ford back at Fieldays
The blue oval is returning to Mystery Creek this week for Fieldays 2026, the southern hemisphere’s largest agricultural event.
The marque’s showcase this year is headlined by the 2026.5 Ranger and Everest line-up.
Ford NZ will also be hosting a special guest from across the Tasman – Natalie Manariti, Ford International Market Group’s director of the Ranger and Everest.
Manariti, who leads the product definition and business strategies for these vehicle lines across Ford IMG, will be on-stand to share global development insights and connect directly with customers.
“Fieldays is vital for us to connect with the backbone of New Zealand and we’re thrilled to be back at our familiar home on the site,” says Annaliese Atina, managing director of Ford NZ.
“This year, we are putting our fresh 2026.5 Ranger and Everest line-up front and centre. Having Natalie Manariti join us from the global truck team highlights just how important the Kiwi market is to Ford’s global success. We can’t wait for our customers to hear first-hand about the engineering and design philosophy behind their favourite vehicles.”
Manariti is based in Melbourne and leads the global product strategy, lifecycle and market positioning for two of Ford’s most popular vehicle lines, and is a key architect behind the brand's right-hand-drive conversion programmes.
She says: “New Zealand is an incredibly important market for Ranger and Everest globally. Being at Fieldays allows us to connect directly with the drivers who put our vehicles to the test every single day.
“The 2026.5 updates represent a direct response to customer feedback, delivering more of the V6 power, smart technology and rugged versatility that Kiwis demand.”
In addition, visitors to Fieldays will be able to get up close and personal with new special-edition variants, including the return of the off-road-focused Ranger Tremor, which is now powered by a V6, and the Ranger Wolftrak.
Manariti will be available on-stand to discuss the engineering, global trends and future vision of the Ranger and Everest platforms, and the Transit range will be showcased, which has “versatile configurations and options for every Kiwi.”
The model-year 2026.50 updates “represent a significant evolution for New Zealand’s favourite ute and SUV family, optimising performance, durability and value across the range”.
Responding to customer demand, Ford’s 184kW and 600Nm three-litre turbo-diesel engine is now offered across a broader selection of models, giving more drivers access to “premium V6 performance”.
The new two-litre turbo diesel global engine delivers 125kW of power and 405Nm of torque. Engineered for enhanced durability and easier servicing, it transitions to a conventional timing chain and features an updated fuel-injection system.
The Everest Active is an all-new entry-level variant that offers “rugged style and premium features at an accessible price point”. It comes equipped with dark exterior detailing, black 18-inch alloys, leather-accented seats and a 12-inch infotainment screen.
The off-road-ready Tremor V6 returns to the Ranger line-up with the extra muscle of its three-litre diesel engine. It features upgraded Bilstein suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels and heavy-duty all-terrain tyres.
The Ranger Wolftrak is a limited-run variant “designed to stand out”. It features green exterior highlights, dark-green interior accents, a 360-degree camera and specialised towing technology.
Fieldays runs at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, from June 10-13.
