PGG Wrightson’s most accomplished young rural professionals test their skills against the best of the rest.

Pictured is: Cam Gray, Peter Newbold (Livestock GM) & Lars Hardy (runner up) after last years competition. 

Four young PGG Wrightson livestock representatives are up for the challenge of taking on the best of the rest of the country in this year’s Heartland Bank Young Auctioneers Competition. Part of the NZ Agricultural Show in Christchurch, the contest takes place on 3 and 4 November.

Hamish Holst from Wairoa; South Canterbury colleagues Keegan Gray and Lleyton Phillips; and Dannevirke’s Lars Hardy go against four young auctioneers from other companies in an event open to livestock professionals under the age of 30.

As last year’s runner up, Lars Hardy will be one to watch.  

Just turned 24, Lars could come back to the competition for the next five years, though with a ‘one and done’ rule excluding previous winners from taking part, that’s not in his plan.

“I’m definitely in it to win it,” says Lars, whose favourite category of stock to auction is big, well-bred lines of store lambs.

“I really enjoy describing them, and because they’re what I sell most often, I’m confident presenting them for sale. I love jumping into a pen of lambs,” he says.

Ahead of the Young Auctioneers, extra practice for Lars includes several charity auctions, among them recently raising $20,000 for improvements at Sherwood School.

“You can have a little more fun at a charity auction. You tend to open up and get more involved with the crowd. If you can set family or friends off against each other to raise the bidding, get everyone in behind the cause, that can make it a special event. It’s always nice to give back.”

Lars reckons confidence, honesty and trust are the most important qualities for a good auctioneer.

“Clients need to have trust in you, belief that you will make them the best money possible. Though being a good auctioneer isn’t just black and white, you also need character and charisma,” he says.

One auctioneer Lars looks up to is his boss and mentor, Bjorn Andersen.

“He’s a very talented auctioneer who puts in one hundred per cent effort on everything he does: every auction, every class of stock. I’ve learnt plenty from him,” says Lars.

In the two-round competition, Lars and the other seven young auctioneers will be interviewed by the judges to test their auction and stock knowledge on Monday afternoon at Pavilions Hotel, Christchurch, then the following afternoon the auctioneering segment takes place at Canterbury Agricultural Park.

As well as a trophy, a pair of RM Williams boots, and a Bushbuck puffer jacket, the 2025 Young Auctioneer wins a trip to the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which includes a guest role as a visiting auctioneer at a prestigious fundraising dinner.

Good luck to Lars, to the other PGG Wrightson contestants and to all the young auctioneers in what promises to be a keen competition of skills, quick thinking and selling expertise, and thanks to the sponsors, including the New Zealand Stock and Station Agents Association, for making the event happen.

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