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.
Described by organisers as the largest one-day show in New Zealand, the event at Mackenzie A&P Showgrounds is expected to draw up to 15,000 people.
Organising secretary, Jodi Payne is promising visitors there will be “plenty to see”.
Some events in the pipeline include the Barwoods Entertainment stage, the Mackenzie Shears, wood chopping, Highland Games (demo), NZ Kennel Club Show, Pedalmania, Shepherd’s Hack Competition, exhibition dog trial, Country Kidz Agri-sports, Animal Tent, vintage machinery, Mackenzie Highland Pipe Band, Archery, Mini Kids Bouncy rodeo show, Fairlie Four Square lolly scramble, and a grand parade.
Payne says there will also be plenty of shopping, food and animals.
“There are over 160 businesses on site so there is shopping for everyone,” she says.
The schedule of classes for the 2020 Show is now available on the show website – www.mackenzieshow.co.nz.
“Closing date for most entries is on March 6th but they don’t have to be finished until Show Day which gives you plenty of time to prepare your entries,” says Payne.
“Please consider entering as exhibits are an important part of the Show…with over 1000 classes, I’m pretty sure there is at least one class for everyone.”
Classes will be available on home and farm produce, wine and home brew, cooking, flowers, patchwork, needlework, art, crafts (card making, scrapbooking, jewellery, sculpture, carving, pottery), photography, dog trials, local pet dog (children), highland dancing, piping and solo drumming, alpacas, wearable arts, equestrian (from miniatures to draught), sheep, wool, cattle, goats or poultry (chickens, ducks and pigeons).
The show committee is looking for volunteers and those interested in helping out during the show can contact Payne on 036858977.
