Business Rural Autumn 2021

| 63 MACKENZIE HIGH COUNTRY A&P SHOW » J odi Payne started her role organizing the Mackenzie Highland A and P show ten years ago and what was her key challenge then, apart from the steep learning curve of the first year, remains her key challenge now. “It’s about how to keep moving with modern times but at the same time to keep all of the traditions that people hold close to their hearts,” says Jodi. There’s a lot of history and tradition that goes along with the Agricultural and Pastoral movement with a good deal of generational involvement from families and Jodi’s aware that each show has its own history and tradition to protect. At the same time the younger generation, if they haven’t grown up with it, need to be coaxed into spending their $15. “You have to think outside the box to make sure they know they’re not just coming to “see some sheep”, and you have to give all the generations something to attend, and ideally something new and fresh,” explains Jodi. But not at the expense of the old as she found out when she made a suggestion a couple of years ago that involved the much sought after Macken- zie Tartan scarves given out as prizes instead of champion ribbons. “For us they’re really important and it’s getting harder and harder to source the tartan in that pat- tern, but even to minimise the size of the scarves was a big issue,” Jodi explains with a laugh. “But I know some people enter our show just because they want to win one of our scarves, so they’re quite special.” Last year Covid meant the show was cancelled, much to everyone’s disappointment. This year they Traditional fare with a modern twist at show Karen Phelps know anything could happen but they’re determined to press on and hope that there’s no unexpected rise in Alert Levels at the crucial moment as hap- pened recently to the Temuka Geraldine A and P show. At least one disappointed child will now be allowed to enter their lego creation into the School Hobby Section at the Mackenzie Highland Show instead. Many stall holders and businesses have rolled over from last year, ready to make the most of the opportunity to be seen, and to interact with their community in a different way to the usual. The organisers are so aware of the importance of the show to the local businesses, and so keen to give back to their community, that last year they organized a free event later in the year when the country was safely out of lockdown. We called it the Mackenzie Highland Spring Fling,” says Jodie. “It was a free day for businesses and for visitors and it was a bit more like a country fete. Everyone loved it.” This year it’s back to business as usual with people paying for stalls and paying to enter. The pressure’s on for the committee to provide that something new that will bring people to the show in the first place. “It tends to be in the form of some kind of new entertainment,” says Jodi. “Especially to draw people to the show whose interest is not in agriculture. “ This year they have Craig Smith, author of the very successful children’s book Wonkey Donkey, coming to perform and entertain, and not just the children as Jodi explains. “He’s actually a really great musician and a great entertainer so of course he reads his book and plays his Wonkey Donkey song but he has other music and does a family show as well. Then we’ve got the Smokehouse Band from Timaru as well so there’ll be something all day.” The Mackenzie Highland A and P Show is the biggest one day show in New Zealand and with around 15,000 people usually attending it’s a great place for local businesses to show their brand. “We have everything from the local Rawleighs lady and people with house plants all the way up to big companies like Farmlands and the large equipment firms like Cochranes and JJ Ltd.” The net clearly has to be spread as widely as possible and Jodi likes to keep in mind the idea of a car full of people all wanting different things. “So, it’ll be good for the kids because we’ve got the rides at the carnival, and it’ll be good for anyone wanting to shop because we’ve got over 160 stalls not just the 20 that might be at the Saturday market. The trick is to make it worth people’s time and having a full timetable so that when they leave they almost feel like they haven’t been able to see everything. That’s what we are trying to achieve,” says Jodi. For anyone and everyone who’d like to attend, the Mackenzie Highland A and P show is scheduled for Easter Monday the 5 th April. Rides on a wagon pulled by a team of Clydesdale horses, blade shearing and dog trials are all part of the action at the Mackenzie High Country A&P show on April 5. CATERING South Canterbury • Caterers at Greyway Lounge or Venue of your choice • Vast experience in large functions • Menus tailored to suit your budget • Service & Food - quality & quantity guaranteed E-mail: cateringsouthcanterbury@hotmail.com Web: www.cateringsouthcanterbury.co.nz Phone: (03) 688 2626 For a function you will be proud of, Contact Stephen or Christine TOYOTA HILUX 2021 Vacuum Cleaners • Generators • Concrete Cutters Chainsaws • Hedge Trimmers • Line Trimmers • Rotary Hoes Brush Cutters • Leaf Blowers • Lawn Mowers • Ride-on Mowers P. 03 688 2373 M. 021 228 4730 E. grant.colliar@thinkwater.co.nz W. www.thinkwater.co.nz TIMARU If it pours… it pumps The pumping experts, for anything pumping and any product. DESIGN, SUPPLY, INSTALLATION & SERVICE ALL-NEW D-MAX AVAILABLE NOW. FIND US AT THE MACKENZIE A&P SHOW. SHOW SPECIALS SMALLBONE ISUZU BROWSE TRUCKS ONLINE NOW