Fancy bantam bird judge Charlie Wilson was working alongside his steward, Jaydean Washington, at the event at the Oamaru Drill Hall.
The pair had travelled from Dunedin to be part of the judging and steward team at the Oamaru show.
"I love being amongst the birds. We love the birds," Mr Wilson said.
Mr Wilson has been judging at bird shows for 25 years.
The Pekin bantam is not native to New Zealand. It was bred from birds brought to Europe from China in the 19th century, and the South Island Pekin Bantams Fanciers group was set up in June this year.
"They’re great birds and they lay eggs, so they provide people with food," Mr Wilson said.
At the Oamaru show, the pair were judging a total of 130 Pekin bantams.
In total, the show has attracted over 500 entries, including homing pigeons, waterfowl and poultry.
After the Oamaru show, Mr Washington was heading to Ashburton to judge at the bird show being held there today and tomorrow.
The 18-year-old is a qualified zebra finch judge and has had birds of his own since he was 6 years old.
"A zebra finch is one of the first birds I got," Mr Washington said.
He credits longtime bird breeder Monty Wright with teaching him the most about birds.
"Once you get one bird, you keep getting more and raising them like family", Mr Washington said.
He specialised in finches and canaries but also had Pekin bantams and rose comb bantams, which were "the gem of the show world", he said.
By Jules Chin
