Agricultural and Pastoral Shows are a proud tradition in New Zealand with the Bay of Islands holding the first A&P show in 1842.
A&P shows were soon starting up all around the country and the focus widened from celebrations of local farming excellence to include horse riding and wood chopping events, fun competitions for the public and stalls showcasing retailers and traders.
A&P shows were soon starting up all around the country and the focus widened from celebrations of local farming excellence to include horse riding and wood chopping events, fun competitions for the public and stalls showcasing retailers and traders.
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The A&P shows continued to grow in popularity and began to include live entertainment, fairground rides and attractions. The shows became one of the regular highlights for rural communities.
The Katikati A&P Show Association was formed in 1912 with Mr M. P. Welsh as President. The first show was opened by George Vesey Stewart on March 13, 1913, in the Uretara Domain showgrounds. Reports from the Western Bay of Plenty Archives tell us that almost the entire population of Katikati gathered at the domain and that it was a great day of rejoicing for the whole district.
The A&P show has been held in Katikati almost every year since 1913. 1925 saw the show cancelled due to the infantile paralysis epidemic and the 1926 and 27 shows did not go ahead as the showgrounds had been rented to railway construction workers. As the ‘non assembly’ laws of World War II and, more recently, the COVID pandemic lockdowns and adverse weather caused further cancellations, the 99th show will be held in February 2024.
The show continues to be a highlight of rural life in Katikati and has all the excitement of yesteryears with Horse events, Home Industry competitions, trade exhibits, Scottish dancing, fun events for children, food stalls and much, much more.
The committee of the Katikati A&P Show Association is looking forward eagerly to the 100th centenary show in February 2025. Watch this space.
In the words of Louellen Davies, current President of the Katikati A&P Society (Sunlive Feb 2023): “The show is more than ‘just an event’ – it is, and has always been, a celebration of our community.”
The Katikati A&P Show Association was formed in 1912 with Mr M. P. Welsh as President. The first show was opened by George Vesey Stewart on March 13, 1913, in the Uretara Domain showgrounds. Reports from the Western Bay of Plenty Archives tell us that almost the entire population of Katikati gathered at the domain and that it was a great day of rejoicing for the whole district.
The A&P show has been held in Katikati almost every year since 1913. 1925 saw the show cancelled due to the infantile paralysis epidemic and the 1926 and 27 shows did not go ahead as the showgrounds had been rented to railway construction workers. As the ‘non assembly’ laws of World War II and, more recently, the COVID pandemic lockdowns and adverse weather caused further cancellations, the 99th show will be held in February 2024.
The show continues to be a highlight of rural life in Katikati and has all the excitement of yesteryears with Horse events, Home Industry competitions, trade exhibits, Scottish dancing, fun events for children, food stalls and much, much more.
The committee of the Katikati A&P Show Association is looking forward eagerly to the 100th centenary show in February 2025. Watch this space.
In the words of Louellen Davies, current President of the Katikati A&P Society (Sunlive Feb 2023): “The show is more than ‘just an event’ – it is, and has always been, a celebration of our community.”
