Rural Games return to Palmy for the tenth year

Sheep shearing, axe throwing, timber sports, gumboot throwing, and coal shovelling were just some of the competitions featured at this year's Rural Games from the 7th to 9th of March.  

Happening every year at the start of Autumn in the Square, families and food trucks gather for the three-day event of all things rural.

Massey University sponsored the games, as well as hosted one of the Clash of the Colleges challenges.  

Paul Kenyon, head of the School of Agriculture and Environment, said, “As the Clash of the Colleges is aimed at high school students, Massey has been collaborating with local schools to encourage participation.”  

“The competition features a series of challenges that allow participants to compete while gaining hands-on experience across various aspects of the rural sector.”  

One of the main events, attracting at least a few hundred spectators, was the Sheep Dog Trial Challenge which took place on Saturday.  

The dogs and their trainers certainly proved to be masters of their craft, as they together had to handle a group of six sheep, divide them into two groups, pass them over a bridge and around a fence, finally corralling them into a paddock. 

Massive also attended the games, taking part in the gumboot throwing, yielding a meagre 14m distance compared to the winning 35m throw. 

Massive visiting the Rural Games. Photos / Jayden Alcock and Micah Geiringer 

Another highlight was the timber sports which took place on a Friday. This included several competitions that involve chainsaws, axes, saws and a heck ton of wood. 

The event also put a spotlight on charities. Retired Working Dogs NZ provides dignified retirements to working dogs by rehoming them.  

GreatMates were also present, whose focus is on rehoming retired racing greyhounds with new owners, including, yes, student flats (landlords permitting).