'One of the neatest little shows'

Saturday's North Hokianga A&P show attracted the biggest crowd in years to the grounds at Broadwood, a fitting response to the effort that had gone into staging the 100th annual event. And Mayor John Carter was impressed.

"It's an honour to be here," he said, congratulating president Wayne Semenoff and his committee.

"This is what we're about up here - communities. Today represents what communities can do when everyone works together. This is one of the neatest little shows you'll find anywhere."

Things were ready to blossom in the Far North, he added, and it was the district's communities that would make that happen.

Mr Semenoff noted that some shows hadn't made their centennials, but North Hokianga had, and he hoped it would carry on for many years into the future. Many people would be vital to continuation, he said, including sponsors, those who gave time as judges and stewards, the committee, and most of all the event's patrons.

The honour of opening the show went to Joy Beer, who had been involved as a competitor and steward for the last 60 years, and counting. The inaugural subscription, in 1914, had been set at 1 ($2), a not inconsiderable sum, she said, and in the last 100 years it had risen only to $5, making it one of the cheapest shows in the country to be part of.

One-time secretary Beryl Mackenzie, who cut the centennial cake, went back even further, 65 years. Now living at Ohaeawai, she had begun supporting the indoor section well over six decades ago on sections including flowers, floral art, sewing, spinning, knitting and crochet.