NZ Agricultural Show to go ahead in ‘slimmed down’ fashion after all

The national agricultural show is back on – albeit in a slightly different format to previous years.

The Canterbury A&P Association said on Wednesday it had reached a deal with a private company to hold a 2024 event.

This year’s show, which is usually held in November, was cancelled in April because the majority of the association’s board claimed it did not have the funds to host it.

A week later a $5 million deal with the Christchurch City Council to secure the show’s future was announced.

It sparked hope among some senior figures within the association 2024’s show could still be salvaged.

In May, private company Event Hire confirmed it had sent the association a proposal to hold a “slimmed down version” of the show.

Earlier this week, Event Hire said it was in discussions with the association and today it was announced it had reached an agreement to run “an exciting and innovative public event” called the Christchurch Show.

The Christchurch Show will incorporate “traditional elements” of the A&P show, such as stall holders, food vendors, competitions and amusement rides.

It would be held over Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Cup and Show Week (14-16 November 2024), association board chairperson Stewart Mitchell said.

Separately, the A&P Association would also run some of its animal competitions and events from Wednesday through to Friday, he said.

“We regret that with nil reserves, the compliance and financial risks for the Association of running a full show in partnership with Event Hire, precluded a combined event.

“However, the association welcomes the involvement of Event Hire in providing a number of fun days out for the Christchurch public on Canterbury Anniversary weekend.”

Further details would be announced in coming weeks, he said.

The majority of the association’s current board are set to depart next month.