It's the shape of royal show to come

The Orton Cafe, a bar and cafe facility unfolded from a large truck in front of the grandstand

The winds of change were blowing at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds in Hastings yesterday as a rural and urban fairground began taking shape ahead of the Royal New Zealand Show starting tomorrow.

In the sheep pavilion, champion shearer John Kirkpatrick was helping erect a six-stand shearing board which has been trucked-in from Marton to be used in Hawke's Bay for the first time.

It is mounted on more than 100 44-gallon drums and has been put in place because the shearing pavilion is too small for the crowds wanting to see the major finals.

Nearby, former A and P Society president Robert Patullo was pacing out the dust of the new cattle ring, while general manager Brent Linn was pacing out the Agri-Business Hub, a marquee where the cattle ring used to be and which will home 12 stands from the sector, with viewing across the parading bovines.

In front of the grandstand, which will house the new Taste Hawke's Bay food and wine expo, is the Orton Cafe, a bar and cafe facility unfolded from a large truck and being used at the show for the first time.

It will mostly be a public venue and scene of the launch of the Hawke's Bay Primary Industry Awards during the show.

Taupo showman David Mooney ponders the same issues as his staff grapple with erecting his 12 out-circle amusements.

Mr Mooney says October weather is the one thing against the show.

"But (for the amusements) it's the biggest show in the country," he says.