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A 130-year country show returns to Richmond: the Nelson A&P Show 2026

MICE editorial — 17 October 2026 Richmond Tier B

The Nelson A&P Show 2026, the Nelson Agricultural & Pastoral Association's long-running annual agricultural show, is listed for 21-22 November 2026 at Richmond A&P Park in Richmond, Tasman.

What the Nelson A&P Show is

The Nelson A&P Show is the Tasman region's long-running agricultural and pastoral show, staged each November at Richmond A&P Park in Richmond, just south of Nelson. The 2026 show is listed for 21-22 November 2026. It is a traditional country show built around livestock, equestrian competition, rural skills and home-industry exhibits rather than a trade-only exhibition.

Who runs it

The show is organised by the Nelson Agricultural & Pastoral Association, which describes itself as incorporated under the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act 1908 (per the association's own site, richmondpark.nz). The association owns and operates the Richmond showground where the show is held. The Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand lists the association's 2026 show on its national events directory.

Who it's for

The show is a family and community event drawing exhibitors, competitors and general visitors from across the Nelson-Tasman district. The 2025 edition (the 131st show) programmed equestrian events, woodchopping, shearing, dog trials, an animal barn and pet lambs, alongside trade and market stalls and competitive exhibits in photography, horticulture, handcraft, baking, and wine and beer (per the Nelson Tasman regional tourism listing).

Venue and location

The venue is Richmond A&P Park (also referred to as the Richmond Park Showgrounds) at 358 Lower Queen Street, Richmond. Richmond is the main town of the Tasman District, immediately south-west of Nelson city and reached via State Highway 6, with the showground on Lower Queen Street near the Waimea plains. The site is the association's dedicated showground, so the claimed venue matches the organiser and RAS records.

Why it matters

As one of New Zealand's established regional A&P shows with a history stretching back well over a century, the Nelson show is a fixture on the top-of-the-South events calendar and a significant spring gathering for the Tasman rural community, drawing townspeople and growers to one of the few large multi-day public events in the district each year.

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