A Hawea Flat group is taking its first step today towards attracting the world ploughing championships to the district in 10 years' time.
About 14 ploughing enthusiasts will be competing on land near John's Creek.
Organiser John Osborne told the Otago Daily Times yesterday that the event would be a test of the suitability of the ground for ploughing competitions, with a view to promoting it as a venue for the 75th anniversary world ploughing championships in 2028.
"There's never been ploughing done up here before, and it's really getting it up and running to prove to the New Zealand executive we can do it."
He believed the ground at Hawea Flat would be "some of the best country in New Zealand" for ploughing.
Mr Osborne said 40 competitors from 20 countries normally took part in the world event, bringing their own tractors and ploughs.
He understood Taupo and Canterbury might also bid for the 2028 event, which would cost about $1million to run.
Today's event will feature reversible, conventional, vintage and classic ploughs, as well as a horse team from Middlemarch.
