Flocking Together in Hurunui

Good dogs, great yarns, and a day out worth leaving the farm for - the Hurunui Flock Tours are back, bringing the district together one paddock at a time.

The top flocks from each area then go on to the Champion of Champions Day, which sees eight farms visited in one day, followed by a community prizegiving and dinner. Supplied.

Each March, the hills and valleys of Hurunui come alive with the sound of dogs, utes, and good conversation as farmers open their gates for the annual Hurunui Flock Tours.

Formerly known as the Flock Competition, the event has been rebranded to better reflect its true spirit of connection, learning, and celebration.

 It brings together farmers from the Amberley, Amuri, Cheviot and Hawarden A&P Districts, showcasing excellence in sheep farming while creating opportunities for all generations to share ideas and inspiration.

“It’s not just about competing anymore,” says Nicola Johns, Animal Health Sales Representative and Team Leader for North Canterbury Vets, who help coordinate the event alongside the local A&P Associations.

“We wanted to make it something people could learn from – a chance to get off-farm, have good conversations, and walk away with new ideas to take home.”

The Hurunui Flock Tours began as part of the national Ewe Hogget Competition, which ran from 1995 until 2020.

 When the national event ended, North Canterbury Vets stepped up to ensure the local tradition continued.

 “There were times when interest had dipped,” Johns says. “If we hadn’t kept it going, it probably would have died out completely. But it’s too valuable for that – it brings people together, especially in tough seasons when morale can be low.”

1 Nicola Johns, Animal Health Sales Representative and Team Leader for North Canterbury Vets (Photo Claire Inkson) says the flock tours are about more than competition – it’s a chance to get off-farm, have good conversations, and walk away with new ideas to take home. Claire Inkson.

The shift from “competition” to “tours” has opened the event to a wider group of participants and changed the tone of the day.

Farmers are encouraged to view it as a field day, open to anyone interested, not just entrants.

“You don’t have to enter to come along,” Johns says. “Anyone can join in, and there’s no fee. The more that come, the better. It’s a great day out, and you always take something home from it.”

Each of the four Hurunui A&P districts hosts its own district day, where exhibitors present their hogget and two-tooth flocks for judging.

 The top flocks from each area then go on to the Champion of Champions Day, which sees eight farms visited in one day, followed by a community prizegiving and dinner, often at a local pub such as the Greta Valley Tavern.

“When we turn up at a farm, the farmer gives a bit of a spiel – they’ll talk about flock numbers, their goals, the season they’ve had,” Johns explains. “You get great discussions happening. Someone will hear how another farmer does something and think, ‘I could try that.’ It’s educational as much as it is social.”

The Tours attract a mix of long-time farmers, young managers, and new entrants to the industry.

North Canterbury Vets actively encourage participation from the next generation, including Growing Future Farmers students and new staff learning the ropes.

“We really want to see the younger generation and farm managers stepping up,” Johns says. “It’s about giving them confidence to take ownership, to share their knowledge, and to see themselves as future leaders.”

 In some cases, the Tours highlight the strength of family farming traditions.

“Last year we had three  generations on one farm.  Moments like that remind us why this event matters.”

   The McLean Partnership who represented Amuri in the Champion of Champions.  (L-R)  Ben McLean, Don McLean, Stuart McLean and Annie McLean. Supplied.

For Johns and her team, the Flock Tours are about far more than ribbons or trophies. “We’re passionate about seeing our farmers succeed in what they’re trying to achieve,” she says. “It’s about animal health, productivity, and helping farmers do what they do best. These days are a way for us to give back – to celebrate what’s good about our community.”

That community spirit is contagious.

 From retired farmers jumping into a shared van for the day to neighbours catching up over paddock gates, the Tours have become a highlight of the Hurunui farming calendar. “It’s a celebration of what we achieve together – as a district, as families, and as an industry,” Johns says. “You always learn something new, and you always leave feeling proud.”

The 2026 Hurunui Flock Tours will take place in late March, with dates to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Farmers interested in entering or joining the Tours can find updates and details on the North Canterbury Vets website or via the Hurunui Flock Tours Facebook page.

“Come along. You don’t need an invite. Bring your team, your neighbours, or just yourself. It’s one of those days that reminds you why you love farming.”