Rural ritual steeped in history

Trevor Bedggood drives a 1901 Burrell traction engine owned by Kaikohe's Pioneer Village during the 85th annual Kaikohe Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Association's show last Saturday. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Three of the seven annual summer Northland A&P shows have taken place and the remaining four will next month continue to give urban people a taste of the country which began in the region soon after the colony of New Zealand was founded at Kororareka and the Treaty was signed at Waitangi in 1840.

Back then Okiato - which Governor Hobson named Russell - was the first capital of New Zealand.

The name "Russell" transferred to Kororareka after the capital moved to Auckland in 1841 and the following year an "agricultural demonstration" at the Waimate North missionary settlement founded the Bay of Islands Pastoral and Industrial Show, the first of its kind in the country.

Agricultural shows have since flourished throughout New Zealand with the 174th Bay of Islands Show in November last year testimony to their popularity.

The Whangarei Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Summer Show last month was the 136th in the city and the Kaikohe Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Association's show last Saturday was the town's 85th.

The North Kaipara Agricultural Association Show at the Paparoa Showgrounds on February 4 will be the 141st.

Association secretary Ann Butler said gates open at 9am and the show usually draws up to about 1200 people.

She was expecting a rush of stock entries next week, plus the usual large number of equestrian competitors and a grand display of flowers among indoor exhibits which will include vegetables, quilts, knitting, paintings and photographs.

The Northern Wairoa A&P Association Show at the Arapohue Showgrounds on February 11 will be the 125th.

Association secretary Nicky Poyner said the event usually gets about 1500 through the gate, but more were expected this year because a Pub Charities' grant would enable children's participation in vertical bungy, mini quad bike and other sideshow events for a gold coin donation instead of usual heftier fees.

There would also be a climbing wall, slides and bouncy castle to occupy youngsters.

Equestrian and cattle entries for the show close on February 4.

Admission costs $8 for one adult, $15 for couples, $2 for ages 5-15, under-5s free.

There will be no charge for trade sites or parking.

The North Hokianga A&P Association Show at Broadwood on February 18 will be the 103rd.

Association secretary Helen McCready said it would be "a good old family day out" with a hangi (if Fire Service permission is obtained) providing picnic lunches.

There would be equestrian events, cattle judging, shearing and chopping contests, trade stalls, a few sideshows and a chainsaw sculpture demonstration with sculptures auctioned to aid local fire brigade, ambulance and rescue helicopter services.

The Kaitaia and Districts A&P Association Show at the Te Ahu Centre and Kaitaia Showgrounds on February 24-25 will be the 129th with association patron and secretary Ann Walker promising plenty - including a ventriloquist - to entertain young and old at the event.

A big range of indoor exhibits is planned at the Te Ahu Centre. The scarecrow construction contest so popular with youngsters last year is back on the programme along with mini-jeeps children can drive, bouncy castles and slides.

Equestrian events and cattle judging will take place at the showgrounds, and there will be small animals such as donkeys, goats, alpacas, sheep and poultry children can see and touch.

Finally, the region's agricultural exhibition season will close with the Northland Field Days at Dargaville on March 2-4.

The event was started by Jaycees in 1985 and has grown to be the second largest show of its kind in New Zealand after the National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek.