Agrodome
Sheep dog presentation | |
| Location | Ngongotahā, Rotorua, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°05′08″S 176°11′26″E / 38.085481°S 176.1905754°E |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | 1971 |
| Owner | Ngāi Tahu Tourism |
| Theme | Working farm |
| Operating season | All year |
| Area | 350 acres (140 ha) |
| Attractions | |
| Shows | Sheep shearing |
| Website | Official website |
The Agrodome is a farm theme park in Rotorua, New Zealand. Founded by Godfrey Bowen and George Harford in 1971, it is a major tourist attraction. It has been majority-owned by Christchurch-based Ngāi Tahu Tourism since 2011.
History
[edit]The Agrodome was set up in 1971 by Godfrey Bowen and George Harford as a farm theme park. Bowen was a world championship sheep shearer with a large international reputation and Harford was a local farmer.[1] The venture was part-funded by the government as a tourism initiative.[2] Bowen's brother Ivan, also an expert shearer, was the Agrodome's chief showman.[3]
The National Kiwi Hatchery, previously at Rainbow Springs, opened in a new facility at the Agrodome in December 2023.[4]
Attractions and activities
[edit]In 2016, the Agrodome management bought a trio of Clydesdale horses that had been a tourist attraction in the Auckland suburb of Devonport and that had acting roles in The Hobbit and Xena: Warrior Princess.[5][6][7] Since 2018, the Agrodome holds Valais Blacknose sheep, which are new to the country. The purchase brought the number of sheep species at the Agrodome to 26.[8]
The annual Rotorua A&P (agricultural and pastoral) Show is held at the Agrodome.[9][10][11] The 2016 secondary schools cross country championships were held at the Agrodome.[12]
There are three farm shows held per day lasting one hour each. Components include sheep shearing, learning about farm animals. The show, which is both educational and entertaining, is popular with tourists and locals alike.[13][14]
Ownership
[edit]The Agrodome was owned by the Bowen and Hartford families. In 2006, the families bought the Lakeland Queen from receivers; the ship is used as a restaurant and for cruises on Lake Rotorua. In 2011, Ngāi Tahu Tourism was brought in as a business partner with experience in the tourism market, with the iwi obtaining a 75% shareholding.[15][16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Godfrey Bowen". NZHistory. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ McClure, Margaret (11 March 2010). "Tourist industry". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ White, Tina (8 December 2018). "Memory Lane: A hot time in the old woolshed". Stuff. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ Garcia, Maryana (5 January 2024). "National Kiwi Hatchery opens for tours at new Rotorua Agrodome home". Rotorua Daily Post. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ Hubbard, Briar (20 March 2016). "Stable of gentle giant Clydesdales need a new home". Sunday Star-Times. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ Hubbard, Briar (3 May 2016). "Dan Dufty's Clydesdales will roam pastures of Rotorua together". Stuff. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Gentle giants new star attraction at Agrodome". The Daily Post. 1 May 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Rotorua Agrodome's new lambs may be the cutest in the world". The New Zealand Herald. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Overseas shearers dominate at Rotorua Show". The New Zealand Herald. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Rotorua A&P Show". Rotorua A&P Association. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ "'World's cutest sheep' living in Cambridge". Waipa Post. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Nelson duo finish in top 10 at national schools cross country champs". Stuff. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ Binning, Elizabeth (6 May 2016). "Rotorua: A sheepish confession at the Agrodome". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ Brennan-Tupara, Nicola (2 June 2019). "Family getaway to Rotorua: Lost in a maze, in the rain". Stuff. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ Taylor, Julie (23 August 2011). "Agrodome-Ngai Tahu deal key to future options". The Daily Post. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ Twose, Helen (25 January 2016). "Success: Asia sales focus delivers growth". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 December 2019.