Our History.
Est. 1842
The Bay of Islands P & I Show is the oldest agricultural Show in New Zealand with the first Show being held in New Zealand in The Bay of Islands in 1842. In its early days the Show rotated to different towns in the region but is now based at Waimate North in picturesque grounds, behind the Waimate North Mission House. The Show attracts around 7,000 visitors each year.
The Showgrounds are a community hub, with weddings and community events taking place on a regular basis. They’re also home to the Bay of Islands Riding for the Disabled.
The Bay of Islands Pastoral & Industrial Show at the show grounds in Waimate North stages a great day's entertainment for all ages. The Show incorporates Savouring the Source Food & Wine Festival, showcasing local producers, wineries & cafes , as well as the more traditional events such as Equestrian, Dairy, Beef & Sheep classes, Calf Club, Pet Lamb, Indoor Hall Exhibits, competitions, demonstrations, live entertainment and over 150 Trade Site exhibitors.
Photographs of the Bay of Islands Pastoral & Industrial Show, out of “Tides of History - Bay of Islands County,” written by Kay Bose, 1977.
Waimate North is noted as “the birthplace of systematic agricultural farming,” within New Zealand. The Show was initially started as an "agricultural demonstration" in Waimate North 1842, and held in the area on local land until the first permanent site was established at Grove Cottage Farm. Mr Charlie Barnes (who lived on Okokako Road) is reported to have been one of those first involved with the show, He helped to build the nikau and pole structure which formed the first Show Hall.
In 1888, after amalgamation with other shows, the first recorded president was Mr. Marsden Clarke and the initial land purchase of the current site was made, it was originally Grove Cottage Farm. By 1891 the Show Hall was built using voluntary labour and costing seventy eight pounds, one shilling and seven pence, and that years Show was the first event to use the Hall. Since then, the Hall has been used for all kinds of social events, meetings, dances, balls (there used to be an Annual Show Ball), weddings, birthdays and anniversary parties and funerals.. Additional land has been acquired by the Association over the years to complete the 4 hectare site owned today. The toilet block, sheds and the cowshed have been built by the Show committee since the Hall was completed. Howeverhe trees, the main oval and the Hall still look much the same as they did in 1891.
The advertisement for the 1897 Show!
Over the years, the Show has incorporated all manner of events and classes. Originally, classes included Dairy Produce, with butter, cheese, lard, and ham. Heavy draught horses had their own class, as well as “Best Shod Hack.” “Mended trousers,” had their own section, and under produce, you could enter maize, wheat or barley. There was even a sponsored class for the best 56 pound sample of tobacco.
Saddlery had its own class, with prizes for items such as “Lady’s Saddle,” “Gentleman’s Saddle,” ”Set Wagon Harness,” and more. There was also classes for shag’s heads, hawk’s feet and rat’s tails.
In 1920, post-first world war, Military Events, such as Section Tent Pegging, Wrestling on Horseback (team of four), and Lemon Slicing were included.
A first prize certificate for the 1897 Show.
1938 saw the first of the Calf Club Classes. It’s reported that the 1950’s saw 70 calves entered by competitors. We’re pleased to say that after the Mycoplasma Bovis outbreak several years ago, our Calf Club classes are back to running strongly the last couple of years!
To mark the occasion of the first official 1888 Show, an official flag was adopted, comprising a red five-pointed star, set on a white background. An official badge showed the star on which was printed "Labor Omnia Vincit” - latin for Labour Conquers Everything. Today in 2024, this logo is STILL the official logo of the Show, albeit a graphic designed version to suit computer screens and high resolution printing.
In 1945, the Show was revived after having a break over the war years. We saw a reoccurrence of having to postpone the Show in 2020 and 2021 when the Show was not held due to the Covid19 pandemic.
In 2017 we celebrated 175 Shows (give or take a couple of pauses due to the wars), and included Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand equestrian and dairy events, and the Ayrshire New Zealand Northland championships. In 2024 we are celebrating 180 Shows.
Over the years farming, agriculture and society has seen lots of change. We’re incredibly proud that through it all, the Show has been a place for community, whanau & businesses to gather together.
We’ll see you at the Show!
Wilma Oliver on Creamy at the 1945 Show.
The Bay of Islands Pastoral & Industrial Association awarded the Show Patron, May Gibbons (nee Cook) with the Royal Agricultural Society Medal of Excellence at the 2024 AGM.
May has been a valued member of the Association for many years, following on in Cook family tradition. A much loved Hall Steward and Patron of the Show, May was celebrated by the members of the Association along with her brother Ken Cook who has also been a very valued member of the Show since he was a little boy.
Pictured is Show President, Graham Moor, with Mrs May Gibbons.
Proudly sponsored by GJ Gardner Homes
Since 2013, the Bay of Islands Pastoral & Industrial Show has been sponsored by GJ Gardner Homes Far North.
We are proud to be backed by their supportive team!
Much of the historical information on this page was sourced from the books, “Grand Parade - The Story of the Bay of Islands Pastoral & Industrial Association,” written by Rayma Ritchie, 1992, as well as “Tides of History - Bay of Islands County,” written by Kay Bose, 1977.
The Show Committee would like to thank the Ritchie family and the Neumann family for sharing these resources with us.