More fun rural events set to premier at the NZ Agricultural Show

It’s time for the kids to get a taste of rural life.

It’s time for the kids to get a taste of rural life.

Entries close at the end of August for a series of games that will feature at this year’s New Zealand Agricultural Show on November 9-11.

Fun rural-focused events for rangatahi and tamariki will premiere at The Show, the South Island’s largest community event.

General Manager Tracy Ahern said the new events, run by the New Zealand Rural Games Trust, are a perfect fit - they’re designed for our rural communities and for those interested in learning more about rural life.

New Zealand Rural Games Trust founder Steve Hollander said the Show is an iconic South Island event with a long relationship with rural sports like gumboot throwing, timber sports and more. “We’re excited to bring some of the Rural Games offering to Canterbury.”

Thanks to Kiwi Gaming Foundation, kids aged 18 years and under come for free to this year’s Show. And with no entry cost to the two new events, it’s affordable for all families.

The events are:

The Clash of the Colleges, Wednesday, November 9

Rangatahi from secondary and area kura across Canterbury will compete for bragging rights in a hands-on amazing-race-styled event. 

Steve Hollander said the Clash of the Colleges was developed to increase the skill level of the next generation. Farm 4 Life founder Tangaroa Walker will be at the event to encourage rangatahi. With junior and senior competitions, teams of four compete at 15 modules from identifying animal anatomy, condition scoring of sheep, wool classing, identifying seeds & weeds, applying drench, tying knots, safety, aspects of fencing, putting together a shearing hand-piece and more. “The Clash also has a rural sports focus, with modules that include gumboot throwing, egg throw and catch, sulky races and more.”

Kids ‘n Country, in association with Kelly Sports and Kelly Club, Thursday, November 10

Kids ‘n Country is all about having a go.

Kelly Group's Managing Director Paul Jamieson said it’s fantastic to bring Kids ‘n Country to Canterbury. “Our skilled team from Kelly Sports and Kelly Club coordinate loads of fun activities for under 12 year-olds. Everything from hay bale racing, sack racing, cow pat throwing, pedal tractor racing, to face painting.” Alongside, there will also be Kidz Kartz - rides on a sulky drawn by a miniature pony and digger driving.

South Island Secondary Shearing Championship

This year, the New Zealand Agricultural Show will host the inaugural South Island Secondary School Shearing Championships to complement the existing North Island championship held at the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games every March. “We aim to create a national competition and encourage more rangatahi into shearing,” said Steve.

The Show already hosts the South Island Gumboot Throwing Championship, and the winners compete at the New Zealand Championship at the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games.

Both parties are discussing bringing AgriFutures to the 2023 New Zealand Agricultural Show as well - the event showcases career and training opportunities throughout rural Aotearoa.

For more information: Tracy Ahern – General Manager 0275444557

About the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games: In its ninth year, the Rural Games is the premier celebration of rural sports, with more than 200 athletes from around Aotearoa competing. Held in Palmerston North, our event attracts about 40,000 people. You can find out more here.