A little kunekune pig nearly stole the show in Oamaru on Saturday.
Hundreds of people flocked to the town’s showgrounds for the 157th North Otago A&P Show.
One of the headline entertainers was Billy Black Woolman, who brought his live sheep and pigs act from Waitomo for the day.
The former shearer and joint holder of a world shearing record is an educational ambassador for the wool industry.
His "Kiwi Culture" show incorporates log-sawing and explosions as well as the animals.
Six-month-old kunekune Jonah showed a few tricks he had learned in the last few weeks, such as "tackling" England rugby players like his namesake, the late Jonah Lomu. Rather than trampling them underfoot like Lomu did, the squat piglet tipped them off balance from the toes.
Jonah was reluctant to "wave" goodbye, perhaps sensing he had his audience in his trotter.
The A&P Association was relieved to have a sunny day for its big annual event. President Andrew Kingan thanked everyone who attended the show and urged those who were interested in it to "step forward and join the committee".
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher congratulated the committee for "another great show".
It was "always a pleasure" when town met country, he said.
The livestock classes this year included a Southdown sheep show in memory of the late Dave McClea, a new poultry section and dairy goat awards, and a continuation of cattle competitions despite the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak that caused them to be cancelled elsewhere.
Secretary Katrina Kelly said the association had always been mindful of biosecurity requirements.
"We were one of only two shows in the South Island, the other being Canterbury, that did not stop showing with the cattle," she said.
