The Canterbury A&P Association says it is back on track after a challenging year.
The decision was made in May last year to cancel last November’s New Zealand Agricultural Show, which left the event’s future in doubt.
But event director Geoff Bone said the association had been overwhelmed by the support from the community in raising enough funds to allow the committee to start afresh this year.
"We are certainly working towards having a show this year, but it’s a matter of organising how we can manage the risk."
The show committee was due to meet next month to discuss some safety protocols and progress planning for the show, he said.
"The show committee has been amazing. They’re 100% behind us."
Several agricultural events around the country have been casualties of Covid-19, including the annual Golden Fleece competition and the Royal Auckland Easter Show, for the second year running.
The Golden Fleece, scheduled to have been held in Rangiora in May, has been cancelled for the second year running, with the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) choosing to focus on salvaging what it can from the A&P show circuit.
"We decided to cancel this year because people aren’t always able to get their fleeces out to their local shows," event convener Christine Roberts said.
"But hopefully we will still get a few autumn shows in this year."
RAS executive officer Debbie Cameron said the timing of the "latest surge in Auckland" was unfortunate for South Island show committees, as several shows were held in March and April.
The Amuri and Temuka-Geraldine shows were cancelled on March 6 and it had created nervous times for the organisers of other autumn shows.
"We were fully aware that these things could happen, but the uncertainty makes it very hard for show committees," Mrs Cameron said.
"With all the work and effort that goes into shows, it’s devastating for the community. The committees start working on their next show the day after the show."
As the country went into lockdown in March last year, the Hawarden, Methven, Malvern (Sheffield), Flaxbourne (Ward), Oxford and the Mackenzie Highland (Fairlie) shows were all cancelled.
