Wanaka A&P Show boasts record-breaking attendance

A record-breaking number of people attended the Wanaka A&P Show this year. Photo / Sally Richards

Attendance at the 2017 Wanaka A&P Show was record-breaking but organisers say it could be weeks before the economic benefits to the town are known.

Event manager Jane Stalker said A&P society subcommittees would meet in two weeks for a debriefing but feedback so far had been "terrific''.

She said one change to be made for the 2018 show would be to extend the park and ride system.

Mrs Stalker has been the Wanaka A&P event manager for 18 years and has seen crowd sizes grow significantly.

More than 45,000 people attended the 80th Wanaka A&P Show, 5000 more than last year.

Mrs Stalker said a study two years ago found it had contributed $10million and she was sure this year's would be more than that.

The gate takings would go towards the 2018 show, an extension to the A&P building in the showgrounds and more staff.