121st iconic Helensville Agricultural & Pastoral Show, showcasing all things agricultural and pastoral through competition, demonstration and entertainment.
Competitions run all day and include equestrian (adults & children), cattle, sheep, goats, dogs plus pet lambs, calves, kids and dogs; Highland dancing, Strongman competition; home industries like baking, floral art, produce, artworks, handcrafts, photography and children's classes.
Agricultural demonstrations are staggered through the day for shearing, blacksmithing, dog trialing, butchering, farrier and Junior Farmer competition.
Entertainment across 2 stages, one for community groups like local Taekwondo, dogs dancing, tug of war, kapa haka etc; second stage for music and dance, presentations and official Show opening.
Other entertainment like large puzzle and board games (free) and slides/rides/puzzles (fees).
Trade stands and stalls selling everything from agricultural machinery to crafts, services and local retailers. Up to 15 food and refreshment vendors are on-site, including Helensville's own award-winning Liberty Brewery. Food offerings cover everything from your beloved hotdog and chips, to Thai, Burgers, Middle Eastern, Gluten Free, Indian, Mexican, Sandwiches and pies. And of course coffee and plenty of drink, slushy, candy floss and ice-cream options. Free water on site from Silverdale Laser Plus Plumbers and the Lions Kitchen.
The Show is a Zero Waste event, which last year diverted over 75% of rubbish from landfill. We deliver this in partnership with our excellent local Helensville Zero Waste team.
The event attracts all ages and is particularly popular with families where it is often the first/only time that children can get up close to real farm animals.
Competitors come from as far as Northland to the Waikato; judges and stewards from all over the country (Canterbury, Wellington, Northland and obviously local). Visitors on the day are mostly from greater Auckland and particularly from Rodney and West-Norwest Auckland.
The Show basically runs all day with activities to watch and things to see from 9am-5pm.
Ample free parking on grounds, an easy hour's drive from Auckland City. Public transport by city bus to just outside the Showgrounds. The grounds are flat and easily navigated by less able people.
Accessible toilets are available in two sites. There is a Senior Drop-in Zone at the Helensville CAB stand, where our elderly visitors can rest a while in the shade, while their families look around. And Helensville Birthing Unit provide a Mum & Bubs area so newborns can be changed or fed in a shady private area.
