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.
The 77th annual Wanaka A&P Show, which takes place at the Wanaka Showgrounds on March 7-8, attracts about 30,000 to the popular event each year.
And the National Finals Rodeo, held at the Wanaka Rodeo Grounds on March 8-9, is expected to draw big crowds. It's the first time in 13 years that the National Finals are being held in Wanaka.
This year's Wanaka A&P Show boasts more than 400 trade exhibitors and will see about 400 competitors take part in traditional livestock and equestrian events.
"Participants and spectators come from all over New Zealand to attend the Wanaka A&P Show. Show weekend is one of the biggest weekends for Wanaka each year and thousands of people come to experience rural life in a tourist town setting," show coordinator Jane Stalker says.
"It's a fantastic event for the visitors but it's also brilliant for the trade exhibitors, who do a huge amount of business over the two days."
The National Finals Rodeo is the pinnacle event of the national rodeo circuit and a strong following should see more than 4000 people attend the two-day event. It's being hosted by the Wanaka Rodeo Club and will be held at the new purpose-built arena in Albert Town for the first time.
"It's great to be hosting this national event in Wanaka and as the Show winds down on Saturday afternoon, people are invited to come on out to the Rodeo Grounds and enjoy the first round of elite rodeo competition at our magnificent Isuzu Arena", Wanaka Rodeo Club president Lyal Cocks says.
"It won't be until completion of the competition on Sunday afternoon that the new champions of each of the eight events will be known, so people are encouraged to take advantage of the two day entry concession to see the winners emerge from all the thrills and spills of rodeo at its best."
The Wanaka A&P Show and the National Finals Rodeo are great for the local economy and are an important part of the busy Wanaka events calendar, Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager James Helmore says.
"Set against the backdrop of pristine Lake Wanaka, the Wanaka A&P Show showcases our agricultural roots. It celebrates innovation, passion, people and the land and brings thousands to enjoy Wanaka every year. With the National Finals Rodeo being held over the same weekend, Wanaka will be the place to be! The weekend will provide an economic boost to the region and provide significant opportunities for local businesses," Helmore says.
Wanaka A&P Show coordinator Jane Stalker and Wanaka Rodeo Club president Lyal Cocks at the Wanaka A&P Showgrounds.
