Show organisers have been working towards getting the three-day event on a firm footing since it was narrowly saved from being cancelled in 2024.
The coffers will be topped up by farmer-owned co-operative Ravensdown signing a generous two-year naming rights sponsorship, starting this year.
In another major change for the November 11-13 show, the Thursday to Saturday timeslot trialled last year to increase attendances, has been discarded for the traditional first day after farmer feedback.
The opening Wednesday is often referred to as ‘‘farmers’ day’’ when much of the livestock judging takes place before the gates are swelled by an urban audience.
Canterbury A&P Association chairman Sir David Carter said the association was in a stable financial position and working hard to build a rainy day fund.
‘‘This year we are wanting the big exhibitors to come back and so we are putting a lot of effort into this.
‘‘They, of course, lost faith in it for a period of time when it was under threat, but we are encouraging them back in after making good progress.’’
Major rural retail co-operative Farmlands was among those absent last year.
Sir David said they were still talking to Farmlands who had yet to agree to come back and were also in talks with major meat companies and banks.
“They want to see us in a stable financial position and I accept that is part of the process.’’
He said there were enough farmers going through the gates to convince Farmlands of the show’s value.
This was one of the reasons for the Wednesday to Friday rescheduling, he said.
‘‘The feedback from the farmers was the Saturday was of no interest to them and it was becoming a city carnival so we have listened to that feedback and gone back to the original dates and that’s meaning some of those larger agricultural businesses are saying if your are going back to your real rural roots we are prepared to support you so it’s a work in progress.’’
While the Thursday to Saturday scheduling gave the back-up of another public holiday if the event was rained out, Saturday’s trading numbers did not justify it being continued, he said.
The show will be run in-house led by event director Geoff Bone with Event Hire no longer involved.
Sir David said the board was grateful to have the much-needed services of the company for two years and both parties had acknowledged their aspirations for the event were different.
Ravensdown taking on naming rights was a big vote of confidence for the show, he said.
The sponsorship was a substantial contribution which would help to run the event and provide financial sustainability, he said.
The partnership followed a strengthening of the show’s agricultural focus.
Ravensdown chief executive Garry Diack said the co-op wanted to help ensure the show tradition continued for future generations.
‘‘As a co-operative with deep roots in Canterbury, it feels like a natural fit for us to support an event that showcases the region's agricultural sector and the people behind it.’’
Sir David said the plan was to continue building up exhibitor and trade numbers, gate attendances and events.
The association managed to right its books in 2024 by selling the remainder of a 99-year lease for Canterbury Agricultural Park to the council for $5 million.
The rescue package was used to pay back a $1m loan to the council with $4m going into a foundation to support the show with its annual earnings.
Sir David said the foundation was working well
and the challenge now was to place the show in an economic position so it could run for the next 160 years, he said.
“The show has run at a profit for each of the two years and this year we are budgeting to run it profitably, but we are very dependent on the number of patrons over those three show days and the weather.
‘‘So we need to get ourselves in a position where in the event of an inclement three days we can still survive.’’
