More than 10,000 people are expected to descend on New Zealand’s largest hunting and outdoor trade show this month.

The Sika Show is at the Mystery Creek Events Centre, near Hamilton, on November 7 and 8.

Organisers said about 200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at the weekend event, featuring more than 250 individual brands.

“Whether you are into hunting, 4x4ing, camping, archery, alpine adventuring, butchery, game foods, backcountry art, pack rafting, conservation or photography, come and enjoy the amazing array of everything outdoors, not to mention the specials and bargains that only the Sika Show can bring,” they said.

“It is the New Zealand hunting and outdoors gathering you won’t want to miss.”

Organisers said all major national game organisations would be attending again this year, including the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, New Zealand Game Animal Council, Sika Foundation, Fiordland Wapiti Foundation, NZ Tahr Foundation, Rakiura Whitetail Trust (Stewart Island) and NZ Pig Hunting Association.

Representatives from the Department of Conservation, Fish & Game, Hunters for Conservation, Predator Free NZ, OSPRI and the National Wallaby Eradication Programme will also be in attendance.

“They will all be there educating attendees and promoting what they do and why.”

Running in tandem with the show is a hunting competition, with more than $60,000 in prizes up for grabs.

The competition, which includes women’s and children’s sections, has 36 different categories covering deer, pigs, tahr, chamois and goats.

All entries are on display for the entirety of the event, with prize-giving being held on the Sunday at 3pm.

Prizes are awarded in each category, culminating in an overall winner in the Sika category.

Entries for the competition can be harvested anytime between the annual shows, from anywhere in New Zealand.

Organisers said the hunting competition usually attracted 150 to 200 entries.

Show origins

The Sika Show began as a small hunting competition organised by locals in Taupō in 1993 at the Spa Hotel.

Organisers said it grew to include other species and eventually evolved into a trade show that grew year on year until it became the platform that it is today, celebrating all things hunting and outdoors in New Zealand.

“With its exponential growth over the years, it is now held at Mystery Creek to accommodate the large capacity of passionate New Zealand hunters and outdoor enthusiasts that attend the event annually,” the organisers said.

“Mystery Creek Event Centre is a world-class, purpose-built indoor event venue with ample room to accommodate over 250-plus exhibiting brands and, with unlimited free parking and a central location, it makes it the ultimate destination for an event of this size.

“The show is a tribute occasion to honour Sika and all of our precious NZ big game species.”

Activities for children include a bird and predator (soft toys) hunt in and around the venue (with prizes), plus colouring and photo competitions, and the ever-popular deer roaring competition (for children and adults).

Those attending also have a chance to win a door prize of a Swarovski Optik package valued at more than $14,000 and a $4000 four-day/three-night heli glamping trip with Helisika, flying into a private location in the Kaimanawa Forest Park.

A percentage of hunting competition entry fees will go to the Sika Foundation.

It will also help sponsorship initiatives implemented by the foundation, along with support groups Mental Hunts and the Rural Support Trust, plus Fiordland Wapiti Foundation, Rakiura Whitetail Trust, New Zealand Deerstalkers Association and the Thar Foundation.

Organisers say 16 food trucks will line up at Mystery Creek to cater for those attending the show this year, with an in-house café also operating at the venue.

The Sika Show runs from 9am to 5pm on November 7, and 9am to 4pm the following day.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate on the day.

- Supplied content