Auckland Royal Easter Show 2017

During April I had a gig at the Auckland Royal Easter Show having been asked to be their media photographer as well as creating an archival record of their 2017 event.  I don't  think it's a word but I've coined the term 'photodocumentation".

The Auckland Easter Show is very long running, free to the public, fund raising event with upwards of 150,000 attending each year and for the most part run and managed by a large unpaid team of volunteers.

Unfortunately the first public day, Thursday, was the same day we were warned of being battered by Cyclone Cook and although nothing eventuated in Auckland the crowd that day was tiny in contrast to all other days.

Opening night - in the arts and craft section where the standard was universally high with all pieces offered for sale. 

Opening night Wednesday 12th April
Opened by the Auckland Mayor Phil Goff who also made a number of the craft and art awards.

 I later heard him described as a "regular guy" and certainly one of the political figures in this country that I have plenty of respect for. Wiki

Overall winners of the cattle section 

Some from the dairy section. 

Dairy Judging crowd - welcome to New Zealand we are all interested in livestock.

Dog trials - Duncan McNab - a flawless performance

Siri Alpacas

Farm World

Sheep dog puppies for sale.

I was told later that they all went to farms including this one who had already become well bonded with his new owner (in this picture) before the show ended. 

Crowd at farm world - a place where the public can interact with a wide range of very well socialised farm animals.

Children able to feel what it is like shearing sheep

Very large food offering across many styles along with the old favourites - this on the unusually quiet  Thursday night of Cyclone Cook. 

Outdoor entertainment and the usual sized crowd on Friday.

Back to the landscapes.

Trying to make the best of that last morsel of the warm Autumn weather.

One of the newer Auckland bike ways

Part of the new bikeway in Auckland that links the top of Nelson street with Grafton and utilises a now surplus motorway off ramp.

Yes it is that bold pink !!

Older homes of Devonport

Devonport is one of Auckland's oldest suburbs (Background) and still has many well kept examples of early architecture as well as some of the best kept gardens you'll find anywhere in Auckland.

Sunset over Auckland City

(Taken the same day as the North Head gun emplacement photo) 

Muriwai Beach

Muriwai Beach looking to the north at low tide.

Top of North Head Historic Reserve

One of many World War I and II gun emplacements on North Head (wikipedia).

It's the Fijoa season

Here in Auckland we use the Feijoa as a hedging plant - although there are plenty of trees around and its now "Feijoa season".

Hanging over the footpath 

They can be used in many ways, I like them in a crumble, as a smoothy, on their own or combined with ice cream.