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The future of the region’s longest-running agricultural shows could be under threat unless more volunteers can be found to help organise and run the event.
Warkworth A&P Show was first held in 1867 and has survived many challenges since then, including world wars, global recessions and the covid pandemic, but it’s future is still by no means guaranteed, according to current A&P Society chair Carl King.
He says that despite this year’s show being one of the best and busiest in many years, new blood is needed to keep it relevant to a changing population and to get all the mahi done.
“The show is going from strength to strength in some ways – there are people on the committee with new ideas and energy, and we’re trying to meet the changing needs of the public moving forwards,” he says.
“But we need more people on the committee and younger blood coming through.”
King himself is standing down at the society’s annual meeting in July after five years in the chair.
“I’ll still be there in the background, supporting new people where I can with historical information and what to do where and so on,” he says.
“But like most community groups, we struggle to get volunteers. If the community wants this event to go on, they need to support it – it would be a shame to see that history of 158 years go down.
“We need the younger generation with different ideas – what do they want to see?”
King says adaptability is key to the show’s survival and future success, as the population grows and rural life expands to include more than just traditional farming.
“It’s changed so much now. In the early days, it was all farm animals and show judging and that still plays a part, but it’s nowhere near as big as it used to be.”
One of the bigger changes took place in 2018, when the decision was made to move the show from its traditional Auckland Anniversary weekend date to March, in a bid to counter dwindling attendances and avoid heavy (pre-motorway) holiday traffic.
This resulted in the disappearance from the schedule of the previously huge horse and pony sections, due to the new date clashing with the Horse of the Year Show, and coincided with the cattle section being dropped due to Mycoplasma bovis.
Unfortunately, this was then followed by covid cancellation, so it’s been a slow road back to a full-strength show.
However, King says this year everything came together and they got the balance right, with a blend of traditional attractions, such as shearing, wood chopping and cattle judging, and activities and attractions for all ages, from live music and dancing to Chinese dragon dancers.
“It was a fantastic show and financially, we’re back in a very strong position after covid dragged us down,” he says.
“Entertainment is more important now, whether it’s shearing, the indoor section, stage entertainment or the kids’ play area – that drags the families in. We’re trying to stay in touch with the community and we’re always looking for new things.
“At the end of the day, we’re still trying to show the country and rural life to the urban people.”
King says the A&P is looking for all sorts of support, whether as a society member, volunteer or on the committee.
“It’s all about organising the show – there are different areas, so if people have a particular interest or skill, they could use it.
“The planning that goes into the show is quite extensive – parking, set-up, pack-down. There’s all sorts of things you can be involved with and people can be as involved as much or as little as they want to be.
“Any support would mean the world to us, and we remain committed to ensuring our show continues for another 158 years and beyond.”
Info: Anyone interested in knowing more or volunteering should contact show secretary Karen Black on 021 310 903 or secretary@warkworthshow.co.nz
