It's show time again

There is nothing quite like a traditional agricultural and pastoral show to pull in the community and Northlanders are spoilt for choice.
With summer now in full swing so are the numerous agricultural and pastoral shows throughout the region.
A&Ps pull young and old together, vintage and modern lifestyles, animals and machinery - all thrown together with entertainment, plenty of food and refreshments and a festive ambient atmosphere.
The Bay of Islands Show - the oldest A&P show in NZ at 168 years old - kicked off the Northland show circuit in November, then came Whangarei in December and Kaikohe in January to be followed by North Kaipara (Paparoa), Northern Wairoa, North Hokianga and Kaitaia in February.
Back in the 1840s, the colony was little more than farmland and the shows began as a purely agricultural event. The objective was to display livestock and promote the breeding of stud animals in order to increase the farm animal gene pool.
The concept of the agricultural and pastoral show was aimed at demonstrating excellence in agriculture and animal husbandry.
By the 1860s, similar organisations were appearing across the country and working to enhance every aspect of rural life with some shows picking up the industrial aspect of rural life as well.
The countdown is on for the next two shows on the Northland calendar.
Paparoa will celebrate its 135th annual show on February 5. Along with the usual horse and pony events, it boasts one of the largest indoor exhibitions in the north with opportunities for knitting, sewing, photography, art and craftwork, cooking, produce and flowers, preserving, floral art and children's work.
There are cattle and calf displays, shearing and axemen competitions are good crowd pullers and, for the musically inclined, there is a talent contest.