Asked by the organisers how to attract more young people to participate in the annual Mackenzie A&P Highland Show, James suggested getting the story of a young show winner into the news media. This is his story.
Raised in a local farming family, James says he has been attending the annual Mackenzie show, at Fairlie, since he was “about two”.
As a piper in the Mackenzie Highland Pipe Band, he has successfully competed in solo piping, photography and wool, taking the most points in crossbred wool at last year’s show.
He will be back competing again this year.
He concedes that he is “pretty much a loner” among his peers in his participation in the show, but he sees it as really important for the community. He believes it is important to come up with ways to attract the younger generation, both to compete and get involved in running it.
“To support the show is the main reason why I enter, because if they haven’t got entries it becomes just like a fair.”
Kinsman is not on the show committee, but is likely to put himself forward in the future.
He has just begun studies towards the bachelor of agricultural science degree at Lincoln University, a four-year course.
Show secretary Jodi Payne said that for many years the association has offered an annual scholarship of $2000 to a local young person studying any agricultural course at Lincoln, Massey or Telford.
In return, the winner is expected to give a progress report and help with the show.
“We’re trying to pick the young ones’ brains really, to see what the modern ones want to see at a show, and how they think we might be able to attract more entries from people their age or the involvement of people their age.”
She describes Kinsman as “a high-calibre young man.” She says in her time as secretary, since 2010, they haven’t had a scholarship applicant who was also a previous entrant and prizewinner at the show.
Payne says they are impressed by Kinsman’s suggestion that telling the story of a young person’s success might encourage others, by pointing out the benefits in practical skills, leadership and administration experience.
Billed as the largest one-day show on the national calendar, with between 12,000 and 15,000 expected through the gates, the 120th Mackenzie A&P Highland Show will be held on Easter Monday, April 2, at the A&P Showground in Fairlie.
The Schedule of Classes is online at www.mackenzieshow.co.nz with the closing date for most entries on February 23.
