The sleepy town of Fairlie, gateway to stunning landscapes of the Mackenzie country, will be bursting at the seams this Easter Monday when gates open to the 127th Mackenzie A&P show.

This year's Mackenzie show president, sheep and beef farmer Charlie Waters, has been involved in the event since his heady days as a Young Farmer in the 1980s.

"I was originally put on the management committee in 1986 through the Fairlie Young Farmers Club, but I worked with the young farmers in the sheep pens before that,” Waters says.

The event is the biggest one-day show in the South Island and is popular with people on their way home from the Wheels at Wanaka machinery show and those looking for a family day trip from neighbouring cities.

Waters said the show helps give city-dwellers a country experience.

"It gives people that live in town the opportunity to see an animal face-to-face. “Otherwise, many people don't realise what an animal is."

Pleasant Point Young Farmers Club will be overseeing the pet tent, where children can get hands-on experience with livestock.

"For some children, it might be their first time doing that," Waters said.

Waters said weather permitting, helicopter rides would be a highlight of the event and provide a birds-eye-view for showgoers of the breathtaking Mackenzie country.

For the less adventurous, the usual show staples are on offer, too.

"We've got all the usual horses, the kennels, dog trials, alpacas, wood chopping and the Mackenzie Shears."

Children's author and musician Dean O'Brien, known by his stage name Yipadee, will provide children's entertainment, and the talent show will be back again with Jae Bedford.

A bark-off will take place in the main ring, and the ever-popular fencing competition returns, although last year's competition left its mark.

"The posts are still in the ground from last year, we can't get them out," Waters laughs.

Waters said the show was good family entertainment at a cheap rate, and the committee hoped to have something everyone would enjoy, but it was the people through the gates on the day that made the event shine.

"It's the people that come make the show a success. If the people didn't come, we wouldn't have a show."

The 127th Mackenzie Highland A&P Show: What you need to know before you go

Show location: Fairlie Showgrounds

Show date: Easter Monday, 21 April 2025

Parking: free, off of School Road. Handicapped parking available.

President: Charles Waters

Opening Times: from 8am

Tickets: $20 adult, $5 (age 5-15), under 5s free

Highlights: Entertainment from Yipadee and Jae Bedford Entertainment, The Mackenzie Shears, Sheep Auction, Golden Fleece Competition, Wood Chopping, Sheep Dog Trials, Huntaway Bark-Off, Vintage Machinery, Helicopter Rides, Mackenzie Highland Pipe Band, Highland Dancing, Country Kids Agri-sports, Point Lumber Fencing Competition, Royal Canin NZ Dogs Show, Pedalmania, Archery, Pet Tent, Fairlie Four Square Lolly Scramble, Grand Parade, Carnival Rides, lots of shopping, food and much more.

Best place to follow for information:  https://www.mackenzieshow.co.nz AND more up to date info https://www.facebook.com/mackenzieshow questions via email to [email protected]

By Claire Inkson