Let the games begin!
New Zealand's largest celebration of rural sports athletes and enthusiasts – New Zealand Rural Games - is back for its 10th edition, kicking off in Palmerston North from Thursday, March 6th to Sunday, March 9th, 2025.
Organisers are yet to confirm final numbers, but anticipate strong attendance despite a cold and wet Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday brought a beautiful day and ASB Agricultural Park was packed with showgoers making the most of all the entertainment on offer.
Event director Geoff Bone says the number of cars in the car park on Friday reached levels not yet seen since the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall attended the Show for the 150th anniversary celebration.
Show day culminated with the ultimate prize – the Supreme Champion Animal of Show. This year the Champion In Hand Horse took out the award – JR Cooper from Waimate won with Maxwelton Penelope PitStop.
Nicky Hutchinson, president of the association, was awarded with a Civic Award for her volunteer services in front of show crowds by Mayor Lianne Dalziel.
Civic Awards are traditionally presented in the Christchurch City Council Chambers, however an exception was made to present Hutchinson with her award at the show where she has contributed so much.
Andrew Sidey took out the Mint Lamb Competition this year with his texel x poll dorset lamb. The competition was given an overall this year and the overall winner was decided on a culmination of points from yield, tender testing and taste. A new Highest Yield prize was awarded to Paul Gardner.
George Mannering of PGG Wrightson took out the Heartland Bank Young Auctioneers Competition. The 26 year old from Methven won a $2000 prize to attend the Sydney Royal Easter Show next year to attend the Australian version of the competition. Andrew Stokes donated a bull to be auctioned off at the culmination of the competition; the $3000 proceeds from the sale go to the Youth Development Fund.
Thirty-three year old Patrick Newton from Mudbrick Winery won the New Zealand Young Winemaker of the Year award for the second year in a row. The competition is held in association with the Canterbury A&P Show.
The Dakins Ambassador of the Year award went to Colin Drummond and Erin Cassie of Erewhon Station – the pair brings at least 15 Clydesdales to the Show every year despite the difficulties of transporting the horses from the high country station. The Ambassador of the Year award honours a competitor who has been seen to support the ideals of the Canterbury A&P Association.
The Show Legend Award recognises volunteer effort and was awarded to Justin Brown. Justin has been announced in the Main Ring at the Show for the past twenty five years and is integral to the Show running smoothly.
Roger Thain a long-time volunteer in the woodchopping section was chosen by the President of the Canterbury A&P Association as a worthy recipient of the Royal Agricultural Society Medal for Service to the A&P movement.
The Trade Exhibitor of the Year awards were also announced on Wednesday evening with Silver Fern Farms taking out the Supreme Champion title with their site.
