A&P Show postponed due to financial challenges

Source: The New Zealand Agricultural Show / Facebook. 

Following their 160th anniversary last year, the New Zealand Agricultural Show announced the cancellation of the 2024 event after “a recent financial loss in 2023”. 

This popular event, held annually at Canterbury Agricultural Park, has been postponed as they are unable to sustain the risk of another financial loss. 

The organisers reassured the continuation of livestock judging and competitions without the public crowds, but have concluded that it would be “unwise” to have the full-scale show scheduled for November 13 to 15. 

In a statement by the Canterbury Agricultural & Pastoral Association board, chair Stewart Mitchell said the show’s business model was under review, as he believed it was unsustainable to incur costs for 12 months but generate revenue for only three days. 

Citing “several challenging years”, the organisers are planning the return of a new and exciting show in 2025, giving them an opportunity “to completely rethink [their] strategic direction.” 

In his own statement, Mayor Phil Mauger expressed his disappointment, calling it “the highlight” of Ōtautahi Christchurch's event calendar. 

"The November event is popular with both the rural and local community and brings people from around the country to our city.” 

University of Otago student Gemma Hall echoed this sentiment. She told Canta, “It was really good because it gave ‘townies’ a chance to see the livestock and tractors which they wouldn’t normally see on a day to day basis.” 

Hall travelled up for the show annually, and was disappointed by the cancellation of an event that was a “family tradition”. 

Jess Upston, an Agriculture student at Lincoln University, was “super gutted” about the cancellation as this was the first year she could attend due to a lack of exam clashes. 

“It would have been great to see what we learn at university being demonstrated in person. We learn all about different breeds of stock, and these get shown at the show, and it would have been good to see what we learn first-hand.” 

Upston’s friend, who asked not be named, received a life membership for the Christchurch show for her 21st, but now cannot use it for her first year of ownership. 

Mauger acknowledged that the Association has faced a number of challenges over the last few years, with COVID-19 and rising costs making a large dent in their finances. 

“We are about to finalise a commercial agreement with the Association, and hope to release the details about this within the next few days,” Mauger said in his statement.