The rodeo is heading back to Hawke's Bay, with organisers planning the first event there in 16 years (file photo). Photo: RNZ / Paloma Migone
Rodeos are rising in popularity, and a group of cowboys and cowgirls in Hawke's Bay are hosting a competition next month.
The event is called the 'Hawke's Bay Country Round Up' and it has been 16 years since a rodeo on the national circuit has been held in Hastings.
Cowboy and president of the Hawke's Bay Rodeo Club, Jo Whitelock, said a wide range of competitions are lined up.
"It's your usual rodeo events: You've got your bull riding, barrel racing, roping and steer wrestling and bucking horses - saddle bronc and bareback.
"We are looking at doing some half-time entertainment, including food stalls, merchandise, and kids rides as well. And a bar."
Whitelock said it had taken quite a lot of work to get the rodeo back to Hawke's Bay: "But we are getting there and looking forward to holding the event.
"There was a lot of consent to go through to make sure it was done right with health and safety, and animal welfare. It takes a bit of work building it from the ground up again."
People putting up a sign for the Hawke's Bay Country Round Up rodeo, planned for 30 November. Photo: Supplied/ Hawke's Bay Rodeo Club
Whitelock said at least 200 people were expected to be competing in the event, from throughout the country and Australia.
"We've put up some pretty big prize money, so hope to get lots of interest."
The highest winner's prize is $1500.
Whitelock plans to ride in the saddle bronc competition, in which contestant attempt to ride a bucking horse for eight seconds. The horse has a saddle with stirrups, and a rein attached to a halter that the rider holds on to with one hand.
Meanwhile for some organisations and people, rodeos are contentious.
The SPCA said animal welfare is a problem, and is calling for no animals to be used in rodeo on the grounds they cause unnecessary distress and can result in significant injuries to the animals involved.
In 2016, nearly 70,000 people signed a petition to ban rodeos in New Zealand.
A Horizon poll commissioned by SPCA and SAFE in the same year showed that 68 percent of respondents supported the statement that "Rodeo causes pain and suffering to animals and it is not worth causing this just for the sake of entertainment."
Traditional rodeo events have been banned in parts of Europe, Australia, the US, and in the UK.
The SPCA said it was not opposed to the community value of people coming together to display their skill in competitive events, but advocated for animals to be replaced - or at least used in a way that had a much lower impact on them.
Rodeos are covered by the Animal Welfare Act 1999, as well as a set of minimum standards under the code of welfare for rodeo. The standards currently enable local rodeo events to take place.
Jo Whitelock said there would always be people who were not fans of rodeos, and he was happy to talk to anyone about the welfare of the cattle and horses involved.
"I invite anyone to come along that doesn't have much of an understanding about it and [we can] explain things properly. There's a lot of hearsay around that subject - often from a few people who don't really know what they are talking about.
"I've been doing this for quite a few years now, and animal welfare behind everything is second to none. We make sure all the animals are safe and sound. I am happy to answer any questions."
Rodeos were becoming more popular again and the crowds were getting bigger, he said: ''I think it's definitely growing.''
Whitelock and his fellow cowboys and cowgirls were anticipating up to 5000 spectators at the Hawke's Bay rodeo event, on the 30 November at the Tōmoana Showgrounds in Hastings.
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