Waikato Rodeo called off

Saturday’s planned Waikato Rodeo has been cancelled.

Waikato Rodeo Association secretary Sandy Rawlings said the committee met on Tuesday night to make their decision, following the havoc caused by the recent cyclone.

“A cancellation was the only option due to the devastation Gabrielle has caused and the impact it has had on transport and safety.”

Earlier in the week, various factors led to the cancellation, including animal transport and the condition of home turf, the Kihikihi domain.

“It [was] really dependent on whether we [could] get the stock, whether the grounds were okay to use water wise ... we had a whole lot of rain in a short space of time,” Sandy said.

“And we also want[ed] the arena to be safe for the animals, when they come out ... we don’t want them tripping over in the ring.”

Animals were being trucked in from the flooded Hawke’s Bay region, which at that time also seemed unlikely.

“The bulls have got to come from Gisborne,” she said.

Some competitors had already withdrawn prior to Monday because they were unable to get across from the South Island by ferry.

New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association secretary Dianna Bradshaw said the cancellation of a key North Island event would have impact on the rodeo circuit, adding that the association’s thoughts were with everyone affected, including some of its members in Hawke’s Bay.

“We’ve got cowboys who’ve been displaced from their homes,” she said.

Dianna said the Kakahi Rodeo, also in the central North Island, had been postponed but not cancelled.

A NCRCA social media post announcing the closure called on community members to support each other.

“Please reach out to our rodeo whanau to make sure we are all safe.

Sandy said planning had already begun for the 2024 Waikato (Kihikihi) rodeo, including asking sponsors if they wished to be part of the rodeo next year.