Waimate North show looks ahead to 175th

Waimate North's Charlie Weston, 12, and her pet lamb named Panda a the 173rd Bay of Islands Pastoral and Industrial Show. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

New Zealand's oldest country show is already looking ahead to its 175th anniversary with plans for historic costumes, displays, re-enactments and a prime ministerial opening.

The Bay of Islands Pastoral and Industrial Show was held in Waimate North for the 173rd time last Saturday, making it just two years younger than the Treaty of Waitangi.

Check out the show photos here:

Image 1 of 23: Maromaku 10-year-old Aria Kidd with her calf Licorice. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

P&I Association president Don Jack said this year's show was the best attended on record, judging by the size of the crowds and the number of cars parked on the hill.

The turnout was boosted by fine weather and new attractions, especially the primary schools kapa haka contest, drawing people who didn't normally visit the show.

Entries in the traditional hall contests - everything from best chocolate chip cookies to photography and cut flowers - were also up on last year, he said.

The association was already planning a historic theme for the 175th show in 2017. It was likely to include vintage cars, farm machinery, side-saddle riding and people in period costume.

"I'm also hoping to get a few old identities back who used to ride here 50 years ago. We want to express the history of the show in one day," he said.

Mr Jack had also received an informal assurance that Prime Minister John Key would open the 175th show, as long as he is still in office. The show falls just after the next general election.

The winner of this year's inaugural kapa haka contest was Kaikohe East School with Kawakawa Primary second. The prize pool totalled $1000. Mori Rapana, visitor experiences manager at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, was the contest MC.