Rodeo may be in doubt

Photo: DAVID TATE

RODEO BEGINNER: Jess Newton, 3, of Auckland learns the ropes.

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The Warkworth Rodeo may be in doubt at its present venue after the Auckland supercity comes into being in November.

The rodeo has been running for 50 years and operates out of the Warkworth Showgrounds, owned by the Rodney District Council.

Supercity mayoral candidate John Banks has been a vocal opponent of rodeos on animal welfare grounds, with the Auckland City Council banning them from all council owned land in 2008.

This follows on from rodeo events being removed from the Auckland Easter Show programme in the 1990s after campaigning by the SPCA.

While Mr Banks acknowledges his views on rodeo are well known, he says he "wouldn't envisage changes to a valued community event without consultation with local people and their board".

When Rodney becomes part of the Auckland supercity, all Rodney council land will become Auckland council land.

The Warkworth Rodeo again proved popular on New Year's Day, with about 140 competitors involved in horse events and bull riding.

Between 7000 and 8000 people attended the event.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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