The Hawke's Bay A&P Show, due to be held late next month, has been cancelled due to the uncertainty and risks associated with the Covid-19 Delta outbreak.
Photo: RNZ / Anusha Bradley
Organisers said the executive committee of the Hawke's Bay A&P Society met last night to review the risks and after significant consideration, made the hard decision to cancel.
The show was scheduled to run from October 20th-22nd. It's one of the largest in the country and usually attracts 30,000 people to the Tomoana Showgrounds.
Society president Simon Collin said whilst the country was in differing levels of restrictions, and with Covid-19 cases still appearing the country, the event couldn't go ahead.
"We had to think of the wellbeing of our community and the Society, and whilst we are incredibly disappointed, we know it is the right thing to do in this current environment".
The society's general manager Sally Jackson said the A&P Show, in its 158th year, had only had to be cancelled during World War II and she, along with all of the volunteers, staff and key stakeholders were saddened and disappointed.
"We know the show is much loved and that it resonates with the wider community of Hawke's Bay. It has a significant and positive impact on the primary sector and the regional economy drawing hundreds of visitors into the Bay for the three days," she said.
Jackson said whilst the event couldn't take place this year, it would be back bigger in 2022.
Organisers of the Waikato A&P Show, which was also due to get underway in October, announced they were cancelling the event earlier this month. At the time they said this was because of the uncertainty around Covid-19 alert levels.
The Gisborne, Wairarapa and Waikato A&P shows were also due to take place next month but have all been cancelled as well.