Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Helensville - New Zealand's country heartland



Last Saturday I drove north from Auckland to go to Helensville's annual A&P show. Helensville is a small rural township that still embodies the Kiwi spirit of settlement and working the land. The Helensville A&P Association held it's first Show in 1900 and barring two occasions it's been held every year since.
The A&P Association was formed for the purpose of friendship and exchange of agricultural and pastoral ideas among the settlers, and agricultural competition among the farming and village community. The show became an annual event with surrounding communities challenging for the right to be judged Champion of the Champions.
Today the Association's aims are still basically the same, to promote excellence in agriculture and to bring the country a bit closer to town and to promote things rural, while at the same time bringing a bit of the town to the country. The competition schedule covers horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pet dogs, sheep dogs, pigs, woodchopping, calf club, pet lambs, cooking, horticulture, art and craft, painting, garden produce, needlework and a children’s section. Photography too!

Here are a few pictures I made.