Another big event is the Market Day in Bulls, where the town has fun with it’s unique name. Here you can find irresisti-bull collecti-bulls and much more.

Hunterville Huntaway Festival celebrates the ‘Huntaway’, a dog breed widely used in New Zealand for working with sheep and cattle on farms. This fun day held annually on the weekend after Labour Day (late October / early November) includes a dog barking competition, as well as a Shemozzle. Dog and owner have to complete an obstacle course that includes such things as, a pie for the dog and a beer for the owner, and in past years has ended up with the dog riding down the road in a wheelbarrow pushed by it's owner.

One of the major sporting events in the region is the annual ‘Weka Wild Thing’, a testing multi-sport event through some of the most scenic areas in the district.

The rural aspect of the district is the basis for great country events like the A&P (agricultural and pastoral) Shows, which include shearing competitions, wood-chopping, and much more. The 90th Taihape A & P show is on at Memorial Park on Saturday 25th January. Sheep Dog Trials are also held regularly throughout the district. Mataroa Dog Trials are being held on 28th February - 1 March.

For horse lovers there are a number of show jumping events throughout the region. If you are from a city you might even want to visit one of the regular livestock auctions where you can see whole herds of sheep and cattle change hands.

The rural roads are often unsealed once you get out into the countryside and these provide the playground for the annual ‘Gumboot Rally’.

For music lovers ‘The Oaklee Rock’n’roll Festival’ is a great event to look out for.

For information on any of these events or others that may be on while you are visiting our region, please contact us