Rodeo: Bucking Bulls heading to The Duke

There will be bull riding action out at Porangahau this Friday night.

Parklee Bucking Bulls is hosting a bull riding event at Porangahau for the first time this Friday night at the Duke of Edinburgh pub.

"This is the first time we have been to Porangahau so it will be exciting to have it in a small village with great local support," said Shane Bird from Parklee Bucking Bulls.

"There will still be plenty of holiday makers there so the crowd should be pretty big and have heaps of enthusiasm to see some great bull riding," he said.

Though it will be a non-points event, Birds said there would still be an impressive line-up of riders and animals at the Porangahau event, which will serve as a warm up for the Wairoa Rodeo the next day and the Upper Mohaka Rodeo on January 21.

"It will work in really well with the Wairoa and Upper Mohaka rodeos as the competitors can get three events in three days. There will be over 20 riders from both the North and South Island and will include the current NZ champion, Mervyn Church Jr of Napier, and Fraser Babbington of Gisborne, who over the past few years has been in the top 50 in the world bull riding standings."

There would also a handful of under 15 junior bull riders and also a bull ride for the "local lads or gals to have a crack at", he said.

A total of 26 bulls were expected to be in action at Porangahau, he said, including the last two NZ Bucking Bulls of the year, Madcap and Geronimo.

Michelle Gliddon, from the Duke of Edinburgh, said the bull riding would be something different to entertain residents and visitors of the the coastal community.

"It's a first for out here, so we don't really know what we're in for. It's going to be held in the paddock behind the pub and there'll be plenty of hay bales and things, so it will have a real country feel to it. So we're hoping for fine weather and for people to come out and have a good time.".

She said a donation from proceeds on the night would go to the Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust in recognition of the "amazing service" they provided to coastal residents and Brun's bus company were willing to offer transport for groups of at least 10 people for $25 per person. Ph: 06-858 8868.

The bull riding action starts from 6pm. Tickets: Adults $15, Family Pass $35 (2 adults + 3 children), Students $10, child up to 15 years $5 Under 5s free. At the gate.