The 2024 NZ Agricultural Show, which was cancelled in April, has been thrown another lifeline as the Canterbury A&P Association has announced that a private company will run a scaled-down version of the event on Canterbury Anniversary week.

Christchurch company Event Hire is reinventing this year's event as "The Christchurch Show."

The event will run on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of show week at the Canterbury A&P showgrounds, which is the usual location.

While there has been concern from the public that the 2024 show may lose some of its rural feel, Event Hire co-owner Phil Anderson says the company will keep the event's agricultural flavour.

"I think the key is for it to still have the look and feel of an A&P show, which is absolutely important.

"That's definitely part of our planning process, which are well into as we speak."

Anderson said he was confident agribusinesses would still be interested in trade sites at the show as Event Hire focuses on drawing the crowds.

"We want the show to feel busy and full, so we are going out there with some pretty competitive rates and terms.

"We've kept the entry fee really affordable and want to get all  those elements right."

The Canterbury A&P Association will hold traditional animal competitions and its City Farmyard for children from Wednesday- Friday at the show but as a separate entity.

"We regret that with nil reserves, the compliance and financial risks for the Association of running a full show in partnership with Event Hire precluded a combined event, "said Canterbury A&P Association board chairperson Stewart Mitchell.

"It's disappointing that our financial and resourcing issues have forced the cancellation of this year's NZ Agricultural Show.

"However, the Association welcomes the involvement of Event Hire in providing a number of fun days out for the Christchurch public on Canterbury Anniversary weekend."

Richard Lemon, the Association's general committee representative, said this year's event was only a stopgap measure while the Association gets the show back on track in its original format in 2025.

"This year it's just an interim show; that's why we were just going to have a livestock section because we need to put together a new model."

Lemon said the show was relying on cost structures that were relevant 25 years ago but that compliance costs had gone up tenfold in the last ten years and were killing any potential revenue streams.

"We could certainly make a profit, but no one would be able to afford to go.

"Trade sites and entry fees would be too expensive.

"Until we find a system to generate more income, we are going downhill fast."

While many smaller A&P shows are struggling, commitment from volunteers tended to be stronger regionally.

"The difference between the Ashburton, Methven and Mayfield Shows, for example, is that the community gets behind them.

"We have to drag people from all over Canterbury to organise the Canterbury Show.

"There's not the same community, and the city expects to be making revenue out of us."

Lemon said the show in its traditional form was essential for bridging the gap between town and country.

"Children don't get the same opportunity to be involved in rural life.

"For a lot of them, the smiles they get on their faces when they handle a lamb or an animal is phenomenal."

By Claire Inkson