Sika Show returns to Taupo

If you are a keen hunter or an outdoors enthusiast, Taupo is the place to be in September. The 2019 edition of the Sika Show returns to the popular resort town. With 25 years behind the annual event, the show grows bigger each year and now attracts more than 6000 hunters and their families as well as other with an interest in recreation, wild animal management, and wild food flavours.

More than 150 exhibitors will be at this year’s event, ranging from outdoor clothing and footwear retailers to pest solution specialists, conservation groups, hunting clubs, magazines, guided safari operators and more.

Every year, competitions are the highlight of the show—the inaugural event was first promoted as the Sika Trophy Competition—where hunters from around New Zealand can enter more than 50 competition categories, including Douglas Score, People’s Choice, Most Unusual Head, Roaring, and the Photographic competition. This year will also see the return of the National Duck and Goose Calling Competition. Prizes are donated by some of the show’s exhibitors and range from multi-day guided hunts and helicopter flights to quality boots, packs, scopes, knives, and other outdoors essentials.

Charity support

Since its beginnings, the Sika Show has supported charities. From 2017, the event took a more official format where each year, they offer a support package and platform for fundraising to one main charity.

In 2017, the show supported Reel Recovery New Zealand, a charity that facilitates fly fishing retreats for men with cancer, and the following year, they supported NZ Tahr Foundation and the Gary Ramsay Charitable Trust. This year, the organisers say they are supporting COLFO’s Fair & Reasonable campaign.

Show organisers

The last word goes to organiser Mark Bridgman McMilan who says, “One of the displays to look out for is the one from the New Zealand Deerstalkers. They will be there with representatives from the National Office, Douglas Scorers, their Hunts Programme, and the NZDA Heritage Trust.

“The Sika Show is now in its 26th year and as always, there will be a huge range of hunting and outdoor-related products and innovations to try and buy.”

He added that as there will only be one ticket booth this year, he recommends purchasing tickets online.

“The booth will be open from Friday onwards, and early on Saturday as well, so you can exchange your online ticket for a band and walk right in once the doors open. There will be some giveaways and prizes to be won for people who do pre-purchase them as well. Just keep an eye on our Facebook page.”

Sika Show 2019 details

DATES: 28 and 29 September 2019

VENUE: Great Lake Centre, Central Taupo

TICKETS: $25 per adult for one day, $30 for two days. Family pass (two adults and two children under 16) $40 for two days.

For more details, visit sika-show.co.nz.