Palmerston North Showgrounds Act Repeal Bill
First Reading
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NATHAN GUY (Senior Whip—National) : It is worthwhile making a contribution on this bill that involves Palmerston North people, Manawatū people, Rangitīkei people, Horowhenua people, and even Wanganui people, because many of us will have very much an emotive tie with all of our regional shows that go on under the name of agricultural, pastoral, and industrial, or just A and P. In fact, when I was a lot younger I was able to show some of my animals at this particular showground in Palmerston North. I did not actually do very well but I have a strong emotive tie to this area in Palmerston North because as a youngster I used to go to watch the stock cars there, and then as a student for 4 years I played a lot of rugby there. I do not think I actually scored a try on the main ground but I played for the varsity “A” rugby team a lot out the back in the mud, and I played a little bit of representative rugby on the main ground.
The important point I want to make in my contribution this evening is that I feel Palmerston North will be the loser with this Palmerston North Showgrounds Act Repeal Bill. The reason I say that is that I am always mindful of the connection between urban and rural people. I know the show will continue at Feilding and I know that is fundamentally a very good thing, but in the past it has been very easy and accessible for city dwellers to go along when the A and P show was on and understand exactly what goes on at the farm-gate level. They could walk around and see the pet animals and, indeed, in the past we have had very good bull weeks when prize bulls have been shown in that particular area.
The National Party supports this bill allowing this organisation to move to Manfeild in Feilding. It makes sense in a way because on a Friday it is very much the rural hub for that area, with the very well-known Feilding sale yards. I think it is good that it is going there, but I urge a little caution and say that we need to be mindful of the fact that we have at times a disconnection between urban and rural New Zealand. The ground at Palmerston North will always be there, and the stadium will be there. The stock cars will evolve, and all the sports facilities will go on there, because this bill enables the ground to be passed over to, and be run by, the Palmerston North City Council. I know all of those activities will continue, but fundamentally the rural aspect that has been the hub of this organisation will move to Feilding. National supports this bill, but I think we will have to do some ongoing work in this House to ensure that we have strong connections between our rural folk and our city dwellers.