Showing

***17 March 2026***

Mountains rise on one side, Lake Wanaka laps the shore on another, the autumn leaves are beginning to turn, and the Wanaka township bustles on the fringe of the Upper Clutha A&P Show. It is a unique setting and pure Kiwi rural NZ.
This year (2026) the Central Otago town hosted a record-breaking event attracting approximately 45,000 visitors, over two-days of sunny weather on March 13-14, at the Wānaka Showgrounds and Pembroke Park.
For the duration of the two-day event the public park fills up with trade stalls, the road that runs alongside it and the showgrounds is closed, and the lakefront site offers horse, cattle, sheep, goats, agricultural displays, the terrier race, food trucks and clothing tents.
It’s the second largest show in the South Island after the Canterbury Show in November, and has been going for almost 90 years.
For the first time, this year Woolstone Park Lowlines travelled the six hours by road to take part in the show. A bucket list adventure and one we’ll be repeating.
A good lineup of cattle breeds – South Devon, Angus, Murray Grey, Galloway, Speckle Park, Hereford, Charolais – and a first for Wanaka – Lowline. Very chuffed to come away with a second ribbon in the older cow with calf class. The judge, PJ Budler, from South Africa, said she had the best udder at the show. She was just edged for first in the class by a Galloway because the Galloway calf was bigger.
PJ was an excellent judge (well I would say that) who was great on the mic explaining his judging but also informing the crowd about cattle, agriculture and the “super hero” farmers who feed the world.
His explanation of the difference between male and female cattle, and the different traits he likes to see in each gender, included the phrase, “If three men sit together on a park bench their shoulders touch. If three women site together their hips touch.”
This show also has a developing youth programme with stock judging, parading and modules on agricultural subjects and a clipping demonstration on Day 1. The youth then work with one of the studs showing on Day 2 for the cattle classes. Two young people who work with my Lowlines came away buzzing to return.
In days gone by the last thing for the cattle exhibitors at the show was to lead the animals across the road and let them have a swim in the lake. Some of the cows remembered from one year to the next and were eager for their swim after three days of being tied up. Not any more though, and, while there are good reasons for that, it still seems sad to lose those traditions.
If you get the chance to go to the Wanaka Show grab it – just book your accommodation early because, as the gate numbers tell you, it is popular. -Kay Worthington, Woolstone Park, CANTERBURY