Every year, the Ford New Zealand Rural Sports Awards brings the community together not just to celebrate excellence, but to give back. In 2026, we harnessed the spirit of rural NZ to raise vital funds for two incredible causes: Lean on […]
Every year, the Ford New Zealand Rural Sports Awards brings the community together not just to celebrate excellence, but to give back. In 2026, we harnessed the spirit of rural NZ to raise vital funds for two incredible causes: Lean on […]
A new award will shine a light on rural mental health heroes at the 2026 Ford New Zealand Rural Sports Awards, for which nominations are now open. Ford New Zealand’s Managing Director, Annaliese Atina said both Ford and the team […]
Nominations are now open for the Ford New Zealand Rural Sports Awards! Convenor of Judges, Paul Allison MNZM said the 2024 awards were his first and he was incredibly impressed by the calibre of nominees and professionalism of the awards. […]
The Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games celebrated its ninth year with splendid weather and an exceptional display of rural sportsmanship. Founder Steve Hollander expressed delight at the heightened level of competition across various events including timbersports, shearing, sheep dog […]
The stage is set for an electrifying showcase of rural sports prowess as the finalists for the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Sports Awards 2024 have been unveiled. The Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Sports Awards, this prestigious event is […]
Ford New Zealand goes full throttle championing rural sports Palmerston North is set to rumble with the power and excitement of rural sports this coming March, as Ford New Zealand takes pole position as the naming rights sponsor of the […]
The New Zealand Rural Sports Awards 2023 have recognised and celebrated the extraordinary achievements and dedication of rural sports athletes and supporters. The winners were announced during a gala dinner at Awapuni Racecourse in Palmerston North. Nathan Twaddle, the Judging […]
Athletes and administrators from timbersports, shearing, harness racing, rodeo, tree climbing, highland heavies, gumboot throwing and fencing have been announced as finalists in the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards. In its seventh year, the awards honour the athletes and the […]
The Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games scheduled to be held in The Square, Palmerston North in March is the latest national event to fall victim to the predicted spread of the coronavirus. New Zealand’s largest rural sporting event was […]
The 2021 New Zealand Rural Sports Awards winners were announced this evening at Awapuni Racecourse in Palmerston North. New Zealand Rural Sports Awards Judging Panel Convenor Nathan Twaddle said he was thrilled to be celebrating so many people who had […]
Founder
Steve Hollander is the founder of the NZ Rural Games Trust and a key figure in promoting New Zealand’s rural sports and community. In 2013, his pioneering vision led to the creation of the Trust, which successfully launched flagship events including the NZ Rural Games, the Rural Sports Awards, Agri Futures, and Clash of The Colleges.
His entrepreneurial drive extends beyond events. He is also involved with Future Post, an innovative company that recycles plastic waste into durable fence posts. A Christchurch-born sports enthusiast with a degree in Physical Education from the University of Otago, Steve has played multiple sports at a premier club level and still enjoys cricket and a hit of golf on a Wednesday afternoon. His favourite rural sport is wood chopping.
After extensive international travel, he returned to New Zealand, where his experience in the travel industry evolved into a specialisation in event travel management for major sporting events. Along with his wife Karen, he is passionate about harness racing and has been breeding, owning and amateur driving horses for many years out of their lifestyle property north of Auckland.