Agrodome
The Agrodome is a farm theme park in Rotorua, New Zealand. Founded by Godfrey Bowen and George Harford in 1971, it is a major tourist attraction. It has been majority-owned by Christchurch-based Ngāi Tahu Tourism since 2011.
History
The Agrodome was set up in 1971 by Godfrey Bowen and George Harford as a farm theme park. Bowen was a world championship sheep shearer with a large international reputation and Harford was a local farmer. The venture was part-funded by the government as a tourism initiative. Bowen's brother Ivan, also an expert shearer, was the Agrodome's chief showman.The National Kiwi Hatchery, previously at Rainbow Springs, opened in a new facility at the Agrodome in December 2023.
Attractions and activities
In 2016, the Agrodome management bought a trio of Clydesdale horses that had been a tourist attraction in the Auckland suburb of Devonport and that had acting roles in The Hobbit and Xena: Warrior Princess. Since 2018, the Agrodome holds Valais Blacknose sheep, which are new to the country. The purchase brought the number of sheep species at the Agrodome to 26.The annual Rotorua A&P Show is held at the Agrodome. The 2016 secondary schools cross country championships were held at the Agrodome.
There are three farm shows held per day lasting one hour each. Components include sheep shearing, learning about farm animals. The show, which is both educational and entertaining, is popular with tourists and locals alike.