A pumpkin weighing 789.5kg smashed records at the Hamilton Great Pumpkin Carnival yesterday.
Morrinsville dairy farmer Tim Harris beat his own record from last year by 35kg.
He still holds the record for the heaviest pumpkin in the Southern Hemisphere.
Carnival organiser Jenny Rowden said record crowds turned out yesterday with plenty of entries for giant pumpkins, miniature pumpkins and a huge variety of pumpkin creations.
A new category of "pumpkin racers" was introduced with pumpkins competing against pumpkins down a purpose-built track.
"The increased number of entries from schools was heartening as kids learned the enjoyment of growing a seed through to a productive plant," Ms Rowden said.