Royal Show draws closer

Hawke's Bay A and P Society events manager Anna Hamilton working on schedules for distribution ahead of the Royal New Zealand Show, being held in Hastings in 10 weeks. Photo / Duncan Brown

A big step towards the first Royal New Zealand Show in Hawke's Bay for 12 years is being taken this week with the distribution of more than 1000 competition schedules to prospective entrants in the show's competition classes.

The schedules are being sent with just 10 weeks until the show at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds in Hastings on October 21-23.

Entries are being sought in at least 10 sections, including equestrian, beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs, alpacas, poultry, dairy goats, sheepdog trials and home industries, several closing on September 18.

Hawke's Bay A and P Society events manager Anna Hamilton said the schedules are being distributed to a database of regular Hawke's Show entrants, competitors at other shows and breed society members.

Entries for the farm fencing competitions and the Great Raihania Shears are handled separately, with shearing and woolhandling entries being taken on the day of the event, on the last day of the show.

The Royal Show used to be held in Hawke's Bay every five years, but was last held in Hastings in 2003. The Hawke's Bay society was last year awarded rights to stage the Royal Show for the next three years.