Country fun takes over the city
Some families travelled great lengths to visit Palmerston North’s cauldron of rural madness over the weekend.
Country fun took over the city as sheep, huntaways and hay bales crowded the Square for the New Zealand Rural Games, with an array of events, including speed shearing, coal shovelling, dog trials and hay stacking.
Thousands turned out to watch a dramatic celebration of the region’s farming heritage and epitome of rural sports.
Peter Coleman made the late decision to muster his young family into the car and make the long journey down from Hamilton. They attended last year, while visiting family, and his children had talked about operating diggers ever since.
Coleman and his son Jack, 4, spent hours waiting for the children’s diggers and tree climb events, before jumping on a sulky attached to a miniature pony.
‘‘Last year he said he’s going to be a digger driver. Now, he thinks he’s going to be a harness jockey. Kids and their dreams.
‘‘We don’t get away much, but for us townies it’s not every day your kid can jump in a digger or watch someone shear a sheep.’’
Coal shovelling competitor Richard Banks made the trip up from the coal mines of Reefton to continue a tradition which has been in his family for generations. Father of Highlander Marty Banks, the West Coast man said his father and grandfather had both worked in the mines.
Although it doesn’t gather much interest in New Zealand, coal shovelling is a big deal on the West Coast and there are usually two competitions each year.
‘‘There’s always a good turnout and the guys are very competitive. There’s so much to look at through the West Coast and that’s only starting to be realised now. There’s a lot untapped down there.’’
Stephanie Dryfhout was the female winner in the tree climbing competition.
The Feilding woman, who has only been in the sport two years, earned a rousing cheer from the crowd.