The Maniototo hosts many events throughout the year so plan your trip around one (or more)! Celebrate our rural way of life at an annual Agricultural & Pastoral Show, enter one of many biking and endurance events or enjoy one of our markets. Maniototo Curling International hosts many curling events, hear the history of our high country at the bi-annual Maniototo Bards, Ballads & Bulldust Festival and test your ‘brass’ at the annual mid winter Brass Monkey motorbike rally in Oturehua. The inaugural Maniototo Rodeo is also on this December (see below)!
Below are our annual events but check out our Positively Maniototo publication for events calendars and current news.
February
Maniototo Agricultural & Pastoral Show
A & P Shows are an important event in any rural community. Among the traditional horse and sheep events, machinery displays and, always the favourite, the Grand Parade. There’s candyfloss, a variety of food and retail stalls and, depending on the weather, a kids slippery slide. A truly rural experience! NEXT SHOW WEDNESDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2018. Check out the Maniototo A & P Association on Facebook. Maniototo A & P Show Schedule 2018.
May
Duck Shooting Season Opening Weekend
The first weekend of May is the official start to Duck Shooting Season. It is a big weekend in the Maniototo. Mai mai’s are created, ponds are fed, decoys put out, committees formed, trophy’s engraved and the hunt for the duck begins. A local tradition and many return from overseas or from around NZ to shoot. Be sure to get your duck shooting license!
June
Brass Monkey Motorbike Rally
Motorcyclists from all over New Zealand converge on a paddock in the Ida Valley expecting bitterly cold temperatures to attend the annual Brass Monkey Rally. Events include bike show with all the popular categories and great prizes, live music until late and daytime entertainment.Stand around massive bonfires, keep warm will a wee dram and ‘harden up’ – it’s a weekend out not to be missed. Cold enough to freeze the balls off a ….. (more) and keep an eye on the latest Brass Monkey news via Facebook.
July
Ice Events – all weather dependent
There’s the annual Luge Camp, Ice Festival and a costume dance for all. Following on from this is the UMBERS TROPHY which is an annual Police v Locals curling match in remembrance of Constable Peter Umbers. Perhaps the police will win this time!! Ice hockey is back too with the EREWHON CUP. The best part of it all is it’s free entry for all spectators at every event. Coffee and snacks available from the Rink canteen. If you need to check anything give our friendly manager Heather a call on 444 9270 or check out their new website www.nasebyicerink.com
October
Burn 729am Maniototo Markets
The Maniototo Markets will start Labour Weekend off from 9.30am – 1pm outside the Ranfurly Railway Station. Regular stalls include jewellery, childrens toys, sewing, clothing, crafts, baking, honey, coffee & a sausage sizzle. If you would like to take the opportunity to fundraise or sell your goods/products at the markets phone (03) 4449 729 or email burn729am@scorch.co.nz to book a stall site for only $25. Simply bring along your table and a gazebo (food stalls have the option of being up on the station veranda) and we’ll show you where to set up. The more the merrier and you’ll be supporting Burn 729am – Maniototos community-run radio station. Keep in touch with all Maniototo Markets on our Facebook page … (more)
November
Burn 729am Maniototo Community Cup
In its 8th year, this ‘top town’ type event is a lot of fun. First held at Labour Weekend 2011 in Ranfurly in conjunction with the local radio stations 20th Anniversary celebration, it was hosted in Oturehua last year and will be hosted by the Patearoa community this year. The townships of the Maniototo enter teams to compete in different (and somewhat amusing) challenges – both physical and mental. Gimmerburn took away the Maniototo Community Cup for 2011, Oturehua in 2012, Patearoa/Styx in 2013, Kyeburn-Danseys won in 2014 & 2015, Naseby was the 2016 top team and 2017 was taken out by Patearoa/Styx. Who will the 2018 winner be? The townships teams are Kyeburn/Danseys, Ranfurly, Waipiata/Kokonga, Gimmerburn, Oturehua, Patearoa/Styx, Wedderburn & Naseby. A fantastic event celebrating our community with lots of laughs and perhaps a little cheating!
December
Maniototo Rodeo
A summer holiday highlight! This will be an event not to miss. Watch competitors from far and wide compete in various sporting events showing horsemanship and stock handling. A great day out and heaps of fun for the whole family including food vendors and plenty of kids entertainment! Head along and ‘like’ our Facebook page. Contact 021 108 6508 for further information.
All Year Events
Maniototo Curling International
Naseby has an indoor curling facility open to all! Come and ‘Have A Go!’ You’ll be surprise how quickly you will pick it up. Any ability and age are very welcome (wheelchairs too)!