Southland Rodeo Association Inc

21/10/2026

Please speak up, have you say

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗢 𝗜𝗡 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗭𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘 🇳🇿

The proposed new Code of Welfare for Rodeos could have a significant impact on the future of our sport. NZRCA supports strong, practical and evidence-based animal welfare standards. However, we have serious concerns about a number of the proposed changes and what they could mean in practice.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀:

❓ 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.

At a time when access to veterinary services is incredibly important to our rural communities, is requiring veterinarians to attend more events, such as jackpots or training days, the best use of that resource? And where does that leave other equestrian and livestock sports if similar expectations are applied to them in the future? Is Pony Club, Polo and Dressage next??

❓ 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝘂𝗿𝘀.

Proposed restrictions banning the use of partially locked rowels on Bull Riding spurs would change equipment currently used within the sport and have a significant impact on how Bull Riding is conducted.

❓ 𝗡𝗼 𝗥𝗼𝗽𝗲 & 𝗧𝗶𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁.

Proposed restrictions around cattle becoming recumbent would directly affect how these established events are performed. In Steer Wrestling, for example, the proposed Code states that cattle must stay on their feet after being brought to a stop and must not be made recumbent.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱.

This is a public consultation. 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘂𝗽.

Competitors. Clubs. Stock contractors. Volunteers. Families. Farmers. Horse people. Supporters. Our wider rural and equestrian communities.

𝗪𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘆. https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/review-of-the-code-of-welfare-for-rodeo-animals

Read what is being proposed. Think about what these changes could mean. Make your own submission and make your voice heard.

NZRCA members will receive more detailed information directly from the Association outlining our position and the areas we believe deserve particular consideration.

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁. 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘁. 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘆. 🇳🇿

Photo credit: Rylee Ward at Gisborne Rodeo Club captured by OC Photography

18/10/2026

Throwback to 2011!

03/10/2026

24/09/2026

If you'd like to give barrel racing a try, the dates are out for Southern Barrel Racing keep an eye on their page for jot forms for entry 🏇

21/08/2026

🐂🔥 MILLERS FLAT RODEO CLUB BUCKING SCHOOL 🔥🐎

Information below

🐂🔥 MILLERS FLAT RODEO CLUB BUCKING SCHOOL 🔥🐎

Ever wanted to have a go at riding a bucking bull or bronc?
Or maybe you’ve already had a few rides and want to sharpen up your skills?

Now’s your chance!

Join us for a full weekend of bucking bulls, saddle bronc and ba****ck horses, learning from some of the South Island’s most talented and experienced riders.

You’ll learn the tips, tricks and techniques to help you stay on and make the most of your ride — from getting on and getting set, to hanging on when the bucking starts!

🐂 Bucking Bulls
🐎 Saddle Bronc
🐎 Ba****ck
🤠 Experienced coaches
🔥 Plenty of action and plenty of fun!

Whether you’re jumping on for your very first ride or you’re a seasoned rider looking to improve, everyone is welcome and gear will be supplied!

📅 14th & 15th November 2026
📍 Millers Flat Rodeo Grounds
⛺ Camping available at the grounds

Keen to give it a go?
Register for the weekend by emailing:
📧 [email protected]

Got a question?
📞 Call Cole Wells – 027 863 7800

More information coming soon…

So dust off your gear, bring your mates and get ready for a weekend of bucking, learning and plenty of rodeo fun!

🤠 SEE YOU AT THE GROUNDS! 🐂🔥

17/08/2026

Please take a minute and sign the petition and support NZ rodeo

𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗡𝗭 𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗢 🤠

The future of rodeo in Aotearoa is about to be decided and we need YOU.

MPI is reviewing the Rodeo Code of Welfare, and when that draft lands, our sport is going to need every single one of you. Riders, families, sponsors, fans, and everyday Kiwis who believe rodeo has a place in our rural communities.

This one’s bigger than NZRCA. It’s a fight for the whole rodeo community. 💪

Watch this space, we’ll need your voice louder than ever soon. 📣

In the mean time, please sign our petition and support NZ rodeo.

👉 https://www.change.org/supportnzrodeo

11/08/2026

Congratulations to one of the rodeo photographers Susan J Church Photography for winning this prestigious award with a picture capturing the action at our last rodeo.
Make sure you save the date for all the thrills 13 Feb 2027

COMMITMENT IN MOTION

GOLD | 90 points
NZIPP Iris Awards 2026
Documentary Category

This is the image that made me scream.

Literally.

“Commitment in Motion” captures Rex Church steer wrestling at Southland Rodeo.

There is so much happening in this frame. The speed. The dirt. The horse. The steer. The split-second commitment as Rex reaches for the steer and throws everything into making the catch.

This is why I love photographing rodeo.

It isn’t just about photographing what happened. It is about finding that fraction of a second that tells the story.

I wasn’t able to attend the Iris Awards in person this year, so I watched the Documentary judging live via livestream.

And when the final score came up on the screen…

GOLD.

I screamed. Then came the tears.

This is my third year entering the Iris Awards, and achieving my first GOLD in my third year feels pretty incredible.

Many professional photographers work for years before achieving their first Gold Award. To have reached that milestone in my third year is something I am incredibly proud of.

And to have done it with a rodeo image makes it even more special.

Rodeo is where my photography has found so much of its heart. I love the people, the horses, the dirt, the speed and the stories.

Being trusted to document those moments is something I never take for granted.

“Commitment in Motion”
Southland Rodeo
NZIPP Iris Awards 2026
GOLD | 90 points
Documentary Category

What a moment.

31/07/2026

Its official....Save the date for our next rodeo

24/07/2026

🐄 DONATE A CALF – SUPPORT SOUTHLAND RODEO! 🐄

Would you like to help sponsor an awesome community event?

The Southland Rodeo Association Inc. is looking for generous farmers willing to donate a calf for this year's rodeo fundraiser.

If you're in a position to help, we'd love to hear from you. Every donation is greatly appreciated and helps make our event a success.

Simply send us a private message with your phone number or email address, and one of our team will be in touch.

Thank you for supporting Southland Rodeo and our rural community! 🤠

14/07/2026

📢 NOTICE OF CHANGE OF VENUE
Please note that the venue for the Southland Rodeo Association (Inc.) Annual General Meeting has changed.
📅 Tuesday, 21 July
🕖 7:00 pm
📍 NEW VENUE:
Southland Rodeo Club Rooms
Dunns Road, Otatara
We apologise for any inconvenience. We look forward to seeing all members there.