Search
#wānaka
Quick Links
Restaurants
Outdoor Adventures
Discover Seasons

It’s the end of another successful  Wānaka A&P Show for 2025, and we’re still riding the high.

Arguably the highlight of the season, the 88th Wānaka A&P Show took place last weekend, bringing a crowd of over 40,000 good humans to the shores of Lake Wānaka. Opened this year by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, the A&P Show is celebrated as one of New Zealand’s premier agricultural and pastoral events, and the perfect blend of rural tradition meets small-town community festival.

Wānaka A&P Show crowds gathered on grassy grounds with lake and misty mountains visible in background, showcasing the event's scenic South Island location
Participant driving green and yellow John Deer 4x4 across Wānaka A&P Show grounds with crowd and event tents visible in background

Bridging the gap between urban and rural life, the show sees families, friends, and visitors from all over the country journeying down to Wānaka to experience the best of rural New Zealand’s agricultural offerings. And as always, it’s the people and the community that make the show what it is.

“These past two days have been packed with action, fun, and an incredible atmosphere,” says Jane Stalker, Wānaka A&P Show General Manager. “Our exhibitors, volunteers, and attendees bring this event to life, and we’re so grateful to everyone who joined us and made this another outstanding year.”

Live band performing on stage at Wānaka A&P Show with audience seated on hay bales, showcasing the event's musical entertainment under a canvas tent
Children's parade float decorated with hay bales and costumed participants at Wānaka A&P Show, featuring colourful characters and community participation

The Recap: Culinary delights, agri events, and the esteemed Jack Russell Race

This year saw a few new additions to the annual line-up. The NZ Life & Leisure Local Larder was one of them, featuring artisan food and drink exhibitors from all over New Zealand. Here, renowned chef Peter Gordon, a pioneer of fusion cuisine and a judge on ‘The Great Kiwi Bake Off,’ held live cooking demonstrations and delighted food enthusiasts with his innovative and delicious creations.

The inaugural Agri Exchange hub was another newbie on the block, focusing on forward-thinking solutions and emerging technologies in the agricultural sector. Attendees were able to chat all things sustainable farming practices and explore new innovations designed to support and grow the industry.

From reducing emissions to maximising farm data, fifteen organisations from across New Zealand showcased advancements in production, science, communication, and environmental stewardship. AI-powered pest trapping gave a glimpse into technology’s role in modern agriculture, while support from the Ministry for Primary Industries reinforced the government’s backing of research and real-world solutions.

At its core, the Wānaka A&P Show stands as a celebration of agricultural excellence. Impressive equestrian and livestock events had attendees on the edge of their picnic blankets, shining a light on the obvious skills and dedication of our farming community. Top equestrian riders took to the field to showcase their impressive abilities, while leading Kiwi farmers proudly presented their livestock. And let’s not forget the host of traditional farming competitions, including sheep shearing, wood chopping, and cattle judging.

Enthusiastic crowd watching the Jack Russel race at Wānaka A&P Show with spectators seated on grass and Southern Alps mountains forming scenic backdrop
Jack Russell terrier racing competition at Wānaka A&P Show with dogs sprinting across green field, white marquee tents and cheering audience visible around the racing area

As always, the famous Jack Russell Race was a huge crowd favourite. This year, 75 excited little pocket rockets joined the chaos in the main arena, running their hearts out to the sounds of an incredibly invested, roaring crowd. Huge shout out to Fred, Southland’s back-to-back champion and the fastest paws in town, who once again emerged as champion for the second year in a row. You little champ.

A massive thank you to Petfirst Veterinary Wānaka for supporting this crowd-favourite event and to all the dogs (and their humans) who made it such a spectacular race.

Horse grooming preparation at Wānaka A&P Show with handler attending to bay horse under tent, showcasing the care involved in equestrian competitions
Official Love Wānaka Stall with branded t-shirts and community fund information displayed on racks under a canopy.

This year, the show’s trade section featured a wide range of exhibitors, each offering unique products or services from around rural New Zealand. From cutting-edge agricultural machinery to artisanal crafts or food and wine, show go-ers were able to chat with vendors, explore new innovations in the agriculture world, and dip their toes in a little retail therapy. As well as providing great economic opportunities for local businesses, this busy marketplace is a key part of the overall experience for visitors, with something to see, do or try on every corner.

Recycling station at Wānaka A&P Show with waste sorting bins and sustainability information tent, demonstrating the event's environmental initiatives
Sustainability signage at Wānaka A&P Show directing visitors to separate plastic bottles and drink cans for recycling, highlighting waste reduction efforts
Bicycle parking area at Wānaka A&P Show with multiple bikes and clear signage, encouraging sustainable transport options for visitors

A sustainable, community-led event

Thanks to a small tribe of volunteers, the 2025 Wānaka A&P Show was truly a celebration of our local community. Their huge commitment to this show highlights the collective effort needed to host such a monumental event, and the unique ability of our big-hearted town to step up when needed.

Special thanks to the Wānaka A&P Show, Wānaka Wastebusters and Cardrona for their Show to Snow initiative. With a big focus on encouraging responsible waste management and recycling, it was an even bigger win to see the team transporting the organic waste from the show over to Cardrona to be composted. 

The Show also saw thousands of people biking or walking instead of driving, bringing their own reusable vessels, and making sustainable choices wherever possible – a significant achievement in our commitment to reducing the event’s carbon footprint.

Pony shown at the A&P Show. Spectators watching from under white marquee tents with judges in traditional attire

Join the club: Become an A&P Show Member

Want to support the Wānaka A&P Show and our rural communities, but not sure how? Becoming a member of the Upper Clutha A&P Society is both a win for you, and a win for the show. For just $45 a year, members receive a ticket to the show, exclusive discounts on show days, and access to the Gallaway Cook Allan Members Marquee, which boasts ringside seats, coffee carts, and food vendors with shorter queues.

What’s more, members hold voting rights at the Annual General Meeting and are eligible to apply for grants from the Wānaka A&P Foundation. By joining, you’re not just attending the show. You’re playing an integral role in promoting and nurturing the growth of our rural community.  

 

Looking to next year

Never ones to sit still for long, the 89th Wānaka A&P Show is already on the horizon for 13-14 March, 2026. With the bar set high this year, we’re already looking forward to the next one: the community, the livestock, the competitions, the food, the Jack Russell race. See you next year.

We use cookies so that you get the best experience on our site.

View Cookie Policy