Show History

The Royal Easter Show had its beginnings 166 years ago, beginning as a
purely agricultural event to help the fledgling colony develop a sound farming
economy. The first A&P show was held in 1843. The aims of the event were to
demonstrate excellence in agriculture and animal husbandry, and to promote the breeding of stud animals to establish and increase the farm animal gene pool in the emerging colony.

In those early years, the show was held at the Auckland Domain, Mechanics Bay, Newmarket, Otahuhu and East Tamaki. In 1872, it moved to the Albert Barracks, where it saw the first large crowds, with 3000 people reported as attending in 1872. In 1873, the show moved to Greenlane for the first time. A return trip by rail from the city, and admission, was two and three pence.

In 1875, Sir George Grey became president of the show, followed by Sir John Logan Campbell.

By the turn of the century, the show was attracting entries from as far away as Whangarei, and the range of exhibits was growing in 1902 Friesian cattle made their first appearance.

In 1910, the Auckland Showgrounds were established on Greenlane Road with the first show on the new grounds in 1911. The 1918 show was cancelled because of the influenza epidemic and between 1940 and 1945 the showgrounds became a military base. The 1946 show was named the Victory and Centennial Show, and attended by 40,000 people.

The A&P Shows were traditionally held in springtime but in 1953 the A&P Association and the Auckland Manufacturers Association combined to present the first New Zealand Easter Show. Royal Show status was granted in 1987.

Since then the Royal Easter Show has gone from strength to strength. Last year saw a record 82,000 people attend, with new features added to ensure the show remains an exciting event for all the family.

Today, the ASB Showgrounds is New Zealand's premier exhibition centre, hosting more than 140 shows and exhibitions and more than 1 million visitors in 2006. A partnership with ASB and cornerstone funding from Auckland City Council have been the driving forces behind the Showgrounds' recent redevelopment. The redevelopment sees the ASB Showgrounds transformed into a multi-dimensional facility with double the exhibition space and greatly improved functionality and flexibility, capable of attracting some of the world's leading shows, events and exhibitions.