Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae will officially open the 150th North Otago A&P Show on Friday, as part of a four-day tour of North Otago and South Canterbury.
Government House yesterday confirmed that the Governor-General would open the show, and would also speak to Waitaki student leaders at a leadership forum in Oamaru.
North Otago A&P Association president Bryce Burnett said he was ''really proud'' to have Sir Jerry open the two-day show.
''Being our 150th show, we were wanting someone of very high status and he certainly fits the bill.''
Mr Burnett said stock entries for the show closed at the end of January, and were ''miles ahead'' of what would normally be expected.
The Governor-General begins his tour of the region at Arowhenua marae tomorrow, before visiting the Bushtown Heritage site in Waimate on Thursday.
On Friday, he will visit the Forrester Gallery in Oamaru, as well as the student leadership forum at Waitaki Boys' High School and the North Otago A&P Show.
His visit will finish on Saturday with the New Zealand Rowing Championships in Twizel.
Waitaki Boys' High School rector Paul Jackson said pupils would this week be practising the school haka, to give Sir Jerry a rousing reception.
