Agrodome

History

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. The venture was part-funded by the government as a tourism initiative. Bowen's brother Ivan, also an expert shearer, was the Agrodome's chief showman.

The National Kiwi Hatchery, previously at Rainbow Springs, opened in a new facility at the Agrodome in December 2023.

Attractions and activities

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. 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.

The annual Rotorua A&P (agricultural and pastoral) Show is held at the Agrodome. The 2016 secondary schools cross country championships were held at the Agrodome.

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.

Ownership

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.

References

References

1. (8 November 2017). "Godfrey Bowen". [[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]].
2. (11 March 2010). "Tourist industry". [[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]].
3. (8 December 2018). "Memory Lane: A hot time in the old woolshed". [[Stuff (website).
4. Garcia, Maryana. (5 January 2024). "National Kiwi Hatchery opens for tours at new Rotorua Agrodome home". [[Rotorua Daily Post]].
5. (20 March 2016). "Stable of gentle giant Clydesdales need a new home". [[Sunday Star-Times]].
6. (3 May 2016). "Dan Dufty's Clydesdales will roam pastures of Rotorua together". [[Stuff (website).
7. (1 May 2016). "Gentle giants new star attraction at Agrodome". [[Rotorua Daily Post]].
8. (11 October 2018). "Rotorua Agrodome's new lambs may be the cutest in the world". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
9. (29 January 2018). "Overseas shearers dominate at Rotorua Show". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
10. "Rotorua A&P Show". Rotorua A&P Association.
11. (7 May 2019). "'World's cutest sheep' living in Cambridge". Waipa Post.
12. (20 June 2016). "Nelson duo finish in top 10 at national schools cross country champs". [[Stuff (website).
13. (6 May 2016). "Rotorua: A sheepish confession at the Agrodome". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
14. (2 June 2019). "Family getaway to Rotorua: Lost in a maze, in the rain". [[Stuff (website).
15. (23 August 2011). "Agrodome-Ngai Tahu deal key to future options". [[Rotorua Daily Post]].
16. (25 January 2016). "Success: Asia sales focus delivers growth". [[The New Zealand Herald]].