Sir David Carter: Canterbury A&P Association Chairman on the interest in the Christchurch Show

It’s expected that The Christchurch Show won't disappoint Cantabrians. 

The three-day event begins today in place of the usual New Zealand Agricultural Show. 

It's the product of local company Event Hire, who came to the show's rescue after the previous board pulled the pin due to financial issues. 

Canterbury A&P Association Chairman Sir David Carter told Mike Hosking he's confident locals will turn out in droves. 

He says there's been strong interest with a tremendous response from exhibitors and members— who all want the show to continue for years to come. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
So we tick the trotting cup box, didn't we? And
the cup is held in Show Week and Show Week
in Christus is one of the country's great get togethers.
Of course, while it has been until lately. The one
hundred and sixty second edition of the Canterbury Amp Show
opens today slim down format. The Amp Association chairman of course,
David Carters back with us. David Morning, Good morning, Mike.
Has it got a fizz about it? Do you think
you've got something here or not?

Speaker 2 (00:21):
Well, I think we've resurrected the show. We've only been
in the job for ninety eight days, so we've managed
to get a show up and operating for this year.
The focus is on sustainability of this event into the future.
So while we've got a show for people to enjoy
this year, my focus is still on making sure that
it runs twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven and onwards
for the next hundred and sixty two years.

Speaker 1 (00:41):
So if you bill it, will they come? Do you
think they'll come?

Speaker 2 (00:45):
Yes? I think they will. I think the interest has
been great. Certainly we've said to the members of the Association,
We've said to the exhibitors and the trade sites if
you want the show to last, you've got to be
part of the solution. And we've had tremendous response. You know,
six hundred sheep entry, we've got beef cattle, we've got cat,
the dairy cattle, we've got the horses there in large numbers.

(01:05):
So people are key to support it. They were aghast
to think we might have had show week without a show.
We've managed to turn it around.

Speaker 1 (01:13):
How different will it look.

Speaker 2 (01:16):
It'll be slightly reduced on what we've had in other years,
but only slightly to be fair. Some of the big
sponsors that you know, the meat company's alliance silver Fern, said, well,
you told us it was off. It's too late now
for us to come back. And I understand that, except
that they have all agreed that we will have them
back next year. So this year will be slightly small.
I don't think the public will greatly notice it.

Speaker 1 (01:37):
So basically what you're telling us for people around the
country you haven't followed this was it the way it
was run to the problem. The show's not the problem.
People's interest isn't the problem. It was the way it
was run.

Speaker 2 (01:46):
Yes it was. It got to the stage when there
were arguments between the then board the General Committee, which
are the people who really make the show work, personality clashes.
We've moved past that. We don't want to continue to
look backwards. We've now got complete cooperation from people all
wanting to make sure the show survives, and we've got
ourselves into a financially strong position.

Speaker 1 (02:08):
Good you still got your kettle.

Speaker 2 (02:11):
I don't show kettle myself personally. I'm going in there
shortly to or assist, but no, once I entered Parliament
it was pretty hard to be a pedigree stud breeder
as well.

Speaker 1 (02:20):
Good. Nice to talk, Go well with it, Sir David Cantum,
Can it be AMP Association Chairman. For more from the
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