Reminiscences on a Far North institution

It is nearly 50 years since the Mansbridge family left the Broadwood district, but my family and I remain very proud of our on-going association with this beautiful valley and the people who live here, or have lived here.

Whenever we return, usually every year for the A&P show, or to visit Miriama and Miti at our old farmstead on Mansbridge Road, Joan and I, and our kids, still feel like we've come home. It is not just the beauty of the river valley with the glorious backdrop of the Mangamuka Ranges that warms our heart, but he tangata, he tangata, he tangata; 'tis the people, 'tis the people, 'tis the people.

The families of the Broadwood district are a special bunch today, just as they were when my father Harold and his brother Sydney arrived in North Hokianga as young English settlers early last century. They initially farmed 1000 acres up the Six Foot Track, but after losing his brother Syd in WW1 my dad Harold and his wife Ivy shifted to the Glass/Maultsaid/Kennedy property, on what is now Mansbridge Road.

It was on the Glass property in 1908 that Broadwood's Settlers' Society started holding annual picnics, with foot races as well as horse events, including hurdles. The Kohukohu Brass Band provided the entertainment, with the customary hangi to feed the multitude who gathered from all over the district.

In 1910 the Settlers' Association built stockyards in what is now Broadwood township, and in 1913 they built a hall and made preparations for the first annual summer show, on January 29, 1914. One hundred years later we are commemorating this auspicious event.

The A&P shows became annual events despite the showgrounds being a bit rough, with dead trees and stumps causing riding events to be held where the area school is now. Indoor entries were hugely popular, with every conceivable item that could be produced on a farm being exhibited.

Annual A&P shows were interrupted by the depression, the association going into recess until a meeting in 1944 reinstated the A&P association, and in 1945 planning was in place to reinstate the annual show for February 1946.

My father, Harold Mansbridge, was elected president, with a keen committee, and the show proceeded with dairy cattle, sheep, pigs, the usual horse classes, and of course hall exhibits to complete the schedule. Marching girls and brass bands from Kaitaia gave a touch of splendour, with wood chopping, dog trials, and of course the equestrian events still flourishing to this day.

Now also we have the addition of wonderful new spectacles such as the wood chopping and sheep shearing in their bush settings, and of course the sideshows for the kids.

Today the show is supported by pony clubs from all over the North, but in 1946 there were no horse floats for transport. Nonetheless, entries came from all over the North Hokianga, and there were even some Mangonui entries that came over the Takahue Saddle.

In more recent years, I still fondly recall the Country Calendar TV programme featuring the North Hokianga A&P show, with Dave Marshall starring, not long before he died. This TV show gave a nationwide profile to "our" A&P show. It highlighted the very special aspect that is New Zealand rural life and the magnificent setting of the Broadwood A&P show, which remains a credit to all those who have supported, and who still support, this wonderful event.

What shouldn't be forgotten also is that, in parallel with the A&P show, the North Hokianga had a sports association that enjoyed a "circuit" around Kohukohu, Mangamuka, Broadwood and Herekino. This association helped break down some of the parochialism around the settlements of North Hokianga.

The sports association featured cash prizes for chopping, running races, wrestling, boxing and tug-o-war, with bookies handling the wagers and bets.

Some of the runners were true professionals, including Bill Savidan, of Empire and Olympic Games fame. It is rumoured that during lap one of a race Owen Campbell left the track and hid behind a truck, only to leap out and resume the race on the last lap. Savidan still won! Owen's bookie was not happy, nor were the punters who were in on the lark.

Tutukehua's Alf Taffard invented a timing system for chopping that was first trialled on the North Hokianga Sports Association circuit, but which was later adopted internationally. I hope Alf made a quid out of it.

So congratulations to the North Hokianga A&P Association on your 100-year celebrations. It is something that I can relate to rather closely, because I have damn near hit the ton myself!

And by the way, getting back to the Broadwood valley, I hate drinking water, but I can tell you that sweet, mountain water from the Mangonui-o-wae River is still the only water I will drink, without something added, of course!