WHANGAREI A&P SOCIETY LOOKING BACK AT A SOCIAL ICON

Delighting visitors since the late 1800’s, the Whangarei A&P Show is now One Epic Show Day buzzing with livestock, fantastic food, trade exhibits and family fun. It is where Urban and Rural come together in a spectacular mix of colour, surprises, thrills and competition – a huge celebration of a key milestone! While there have been some minor changes due to COVID 19, the Whangarei A&P Society is gearing up for the 140th annual Show on Saturday 5th December.

THE FIRST SHOWS

The early Shows were held at John Rust’s sale yards, now 23 Rust Ave at the heart of Whangarei city, and then in Eugene Cafler’s paddock where the Bank of New Zealand stands today.

In 1897, the show’s agricultural classes were small but of good quality and included horses, both draught and bloodstock, male and female riders, Jersey and Shorthorn cattle, sheep, poultry and pigs. Indoor exhibits included dairy, baking, ham and bacon, flowers and fancy work.

In later years, after the Society became incorporated under the 1902 Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act, allowing it to then raise loans to purchase farmland and build a grandstand, it purchased Kensington Park, which at the time was the town’s preferred race track.

THE WINTER SHOW

There were no permanent facilities available at Kensington Park to house home produce, poultry, floral exhibits and the like and although the exact start date is unclear, in 1916 a winter show was introduced (it was held in Vine Street) to complement the summer show and its popularity grew.

In later years the winter show was held in Walton Street in its own building and the Drill Hall belonging to the Defence Department. The winter show was not held in 1941 as the Minister of Defence requisitioned the buildings for the duration of the war! The winter show moved to new buildings in Dent Street in 1952, where it continued until it was put into recess in 1995 as the building was to be demolished to make way for roading and city development.

CHANGING TIMES

From its earliest times the use of the grounds at Kensington caused squabbles as the different user groups – racing, sport and the show – had different needs. Just after World War 2 there was even talk of turning the northern half of the grounds into housing. This was strongly resisted by the A&P Society and the Whangarei people of today should be grateful that the Society members had the foresight to secure Kensington Park or there would not be the extensive free-draining sports grounds that are available to citizens today. However the constant tug of war for the use of Kensington Park eventually led to the Summer Show being held there for the last time in 1990 and from 1991, the Summer Show has been held at Barge Showgrounds in Maunu Road.

SPIRIT OF THE SHOW

The Whangarei A&P Show has always been about demonstrating pride in the land and in the produce generated from it – whether this is the finest animal, the highest performing horse or pony or merely the sharing of information for the education of others. This strong tradition is entrusted to the members and continues from generation to generation who participate in and assist with the annual show.

The Show spirit is about celebrating rural and urban tradition and innovation and it is for this reason the event holds a special place in the hearts of Northlanders.