After two years in the Finance Officer role, the Wānaka A&P Show team is farewelling the much-appreciated Anne McLeod, whose steady hand and dedication have played a key part in delivering one of the region’s most iconic events.
Anne’s agricultural roots run deep – she grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Mokoreta, Southland, before heading to Lincoln University to complete a BComAg. A holiday in Wānaka soon turned into something more permanent after she met and married a local, eventually welcoming two daughters. Her professional life has been centred around finance, spanning chartered accountancy, management accounting and business management. After two decades in South Canterbury, Anne and her family returned to Wānaka about six years ago.
Anne joined the Wānaka A&P Show team two years ago, originally stepping into a role focused on financial administration. As the Show continued to grow, so too did her responsibilities. Her position soon encompassed all aspects of finance, as well as ticketing, membership, EFTPOS management, board reporting, minute taking and, on Show Days, overseeing the busy on-site office.
Reflecting on her time with the Show, Anne says some of her standout memories come from witnessing the extraordinary level of planning required to deliver a two-day event of this scale. She has loved seeing people from every walk of life come together, and credits the combined effort of staff and volunteers for ensuring every visitor through the gates experiences the very best of the Wānaka A&P Show.
What Anne has enjoyed most is gaining an inside view of how such a complex and fascinating operation works. She has valued the chance to learn about the many moving parts behind the scenes and to watch people from diverse areas collaborate toward a shared goal. She also notes how remarkable the involvement of community groups is – each contributing to the success of the Show while also fundraising for their own initiatives.
As she steps away from the role, Anne says she will especially miss the excitement and energy of Show Days, when months of preparation finally come to life. That sense of momentum and shared purpose, she admits, is hard to beat. Looking ahead, she’s looking forward to spending more time outdoors, enjoying a change of pace and, she laughs, spending a little less time behind a desk.
In her parting reflections, Anne expresses her gratitude for the chance to contribute to such a cherished community event. She believes the Show’s strength lies in its blend of heritage and innovation – the balance between maintaining strong A&P roots and embracing the creativity and energy of its trade exhibitors. It’s a balance she hopes will continue as the Show evolves.
Anne leaves with deep appreciation for the Upper Clutha community and pride in being part of an event that brings people together in such a meaningful way. The Wānaka A&P Show team, in turn, extends its heartfelt thanks for her dedicated service and wishes her all the best for the adventures ahead.