The first ever Hawke's Bay A&P show was held in 1863 in a paddock in Havelock North.
An agricultural and pastoral society and its annual show was recognised as being important to Hawke's Bay by the early pioneers as they knew the future wealth of the province would be generated by agriculture and horticulture.
By the 1920s the Hawke's Bay A&P Society's annual show had been based at the Hastings Racecourse for over 40 years. They had owned the property from 1878, but in 1884 sold then leased the property back from the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club for the Show.
It was suggested at the 1906 AGM that the A&P Society once again look at owning a property. This occurred in 1911 when 51 acres (21 hectares) of Nelson Bros land at Tomoana was judged to be an excellent location after advertising for possible sites. The purchase by the A&P Society was assisted by William Nelson's generosity in making the financial arrangements. However, it would be many years before this site would be used.
At the Hastings Racecourse, the buildings belonging to the A&P Society had been erected in the middle of the race track. They weren't allowed to be high as to block the view of spectators, and were only temporary. The oval was not that suitable for parades of stock, and inadequate for future growth. There was not good enough for the A&P Society, who wanted better.