About A & P

 

 

Who we are?

 

The Ashburton A&P Association is run by a committee of elected members all of whom give their time freely and generously.  Some of the Committee Members are third generation, with their fathers and grandfathers being active committee members before them.

 

The Association employs one part time person to manage the affairs of the Association and a part time caretaker who sees to grounds and maintenance.  Much work is also carried out by active committee members throughout the year and at show time.

 

Showground Facilities:

 

There are many facilities at the Showgrounds including Meeting Rooms, Stables and lots of open areas.  The grounds are leased to the Mid Canterbury Rugby Union 1st March – 30th September in each year to enable Club and Representative Fixtures to be played. 

 

Showground facilities are for hire to the general public which helps sustain the operation of the grounds throughout the year but the major income is derived from the annual A & P Show. The Show is held the weekend following Labour Weekend (end October/early November) and attracts about 8,000 people.

 

In recent years the trade section of the show has increased to reflect that the show is no longer considered purely a rural domain. The Ashburton A & P Show, as well as being about Agricultural and Pastoral, provides a large quality trade display annually, boasting around 200 site holders.

 

2007 Show Dates:

130th Annual Show – 26 & 27 October 2007

 

How to Find Us:

Ashburton is approximately 85km south of Christchurch and 85km north of Timaru and is easily accessible from all directions.

On reaching Ashburton, the Showgrounds are to be found on the northern outskirts of the town bordered by East Street, Seafield Road, Bridge Street and Brucefield Avenue

Main entrance to the Showgrounds is via Brucefield Avenue

From Christchurch

  • Main Highway onto East Street
  • Left onto King Street
  • Left onto Brucefield Avenue
  • Ashburton Showgrounds Main Entrance

 

From Timaru

  • Main Highway onto East Street
  • Right onto King Street
  • Left onto Brucefield Avenue
  • Ashburton Showgrounds Main Entrance

 

 

A Little Bit of History:

 

  • The association was formed in 1877 by a group of Ashburton farmers at a gathering which was held.  No show was held in the first year due to the start up and organisation of the Association. 

 

  • November 15, 1878 saw Ashburton’s first show run by elected president John Grigg, who was one of the great farming pioneers of New Zealand.

 

  • The First Home Industries Pavilion was built in 1906 which set the foundation of the showground’s, it was later built down by an arsonist and a new one was built in 1990.

 

  • The First Grandstand was opened in 1912 by Prime Minister William Massey.  It was renovated in 1964 before an upgrade of the grandstand took place in 1979.  A $400,000 project in 1996 saw the current grandstand extended to comprise meeting rooms and changing rooms.

 

  • No show was held between 1942 and 1944 due to the showground’s being used as an Army Camp during World War II.  The show of 1945, the first for four years was a huge success.

 

  • The showground’s were extended in 1957, by the purchase of sale yards, these were rebuilt in 1970.

 

  • A Pig Pavilion was built in 1960 but with the extinction of pig classes the building today is used for small site holders.

 

  • 1964 saw a 343m square shed erected for shearing and wool handling competitions.

 

  • In 1977 the association celebrated in centenary, a special 3 day show took place.

 

  • In the 1980 ground improvements went ahead despite the decrease in rural population, the improvements comprised of extensions to the woolshed, building of outdoor horse pens and boundary fences erected.

 

  • In the mid 1990s the A & P Association was still feeling the effects of the 1980s rural downturn.  So to strengthen its base the Association reduced gate fees and allowed free entry to children to gain back some positive-ness to the association.

 

  • The 2002 show for Ashburton was there 125th Anniversary show.  The show received royal event status in sheep, grain, wool and seed sections.  Ashburton was the first South Island association to receive the royal honour.

 

The Ashburton A & P Association has held its annual show at its current grounds since 1880, the grounds have developed over the years to accommodate the changing face of farming and the district.

 

Please look on other pages on this site e.g. Annual Show, Membership etc.

Back to Home Page