WHERE SUAVE SWINE SHINE

WORDS: Liam Stretch PHOTOS: Supplied

The New Zealand Agricultural Show is as Christchurch as the Avon and long-winded discussions about the state of the cathedral(s). There are displays and competitions that we are all familiar with: the woodchopping, equestrian trials, and the tractor drag race, to name a few.

One element that has seen a resurgence of late and a modern transformation is a competition of the porcine kind. The pig showing section has grown year on year thanks to younger groups creating syndicates and taking on the shared responsibility of rearing a pig to enter together.

Known for their zany outfits and punny names, 2019 is sure to be another fantastic year for Canterbury’s hog aficionados. Names of last year’s teams included: The Hairy Porkers, Hinau Hog Handlers, and Fedora Boar Importers.

James Davidson from Selwyn Swine was in a syndicate of three men last year who each got a young boar early in the year and individually raised them for the commercial boar section show in November.

The best pig come show time is the lucky entrant.

“We each raise one and have a little debate over whether anyone has a good one.”

James said the day was exciting, with a great atmosphere providing an opportunity to catch up with those in the pig rearing community. Musing about the day, he said that you get many types because ‘any Joe Blogs can have a pig, you don’t need a big herd or farm’. He recalled some mates raising a pig in the flat backyard in Christchurch a while back.

It’s not all easy though, the competition day means being up before sunrise to attend to the plenty of preening needed on the porkers.

“It kicks off early, there’s a bit of scrubbing, a bit of washing, and a good amount of oiling,” James says.
When quizzed on whether he could share any trade secrets, James was hesitant, but said competitors use everything from baby oil to cooking oil to get the pigs looking their best.

Catherine Sharpin from the only women’s syndicate entered last year, The Pork Pullers, had a few different techniques for making their Berkshire heritage breed pigs look tip top.

“We use some talcum powder and shoe nugget – to make the whites whiter and the darks darker. We even wear exfoliating gloves to wash them.”

The show often draws large crowds, and last year, Lynda Topp of the Topp Twins alter ego Ken judged the competition.

Dressing up has now become a mainstay of the show and Catherine credits the barbershop-like outfits to another syndicate, the Bhuja Boar Breeders, who began wearing the blazers around four years ago.

“It’s awesome, there’s probably not anything else like it at the show... it’s a fun vibe, nobody takes it too seriously,” Catherine says.

When all is done, not all pigs get to make it back to pasture (or flat backyard) – there is usually a well-earned rack of ribs just in time for barbecue season.

So, when you’re at the A&P Show this year, make the time to stop by the pig pens. Have a root around, and you might just see something you don’t expect.