The history of Kaitaia's A&P association is littered with people who have consistently supported the annual event over many years, but few, if any, could hold a candle to Awanui sheep farmer Madge Hows.
She had a fall earlier this year and spent some time in hospital, and is now living at Switzer Residential Care in Kaitaia, but she was at February's 127th show nonetheless, not to compete but to receive honorary life membership.
Mrs Hows had been a competitor at every show prior to that for 60 years, in latter years all but single-handedly keeping the sheep and fleece competitions going. And she enjoyed considerable success, her rewards last year including the trophy for the champion romney ewe, which had adorned her mantelpiece 15 times, and for seven years in a row. She doubted then, at the age of 94, that she could make it eight, however, and the fall that saw her hospitalised finally ended her run.
She never lost her passion for farming though. Born and raised in Whangarei, she was gainfully employed on the family farm there until she married her late husband Ronald at the age of 29 and moved north. She lived on their small property on Kumi Road ever since.
The secret to her success, as a farmer and an exhibitor, was dedication, and showering her sheep with TLC. And even at the age of 94 she was doing her best to keep the A&P tradition alive.
