The story of Agrodome goes back to 1969. Two families, the Bowen's and the Harford's built onto New Zealand's sheep farming heritage and created a world leading attraction. The concept began when the Government approached Godfrey Bowen and asked him to promote New Zealand farming and industry at Expo 70 in Osaka, Japan.
Godfrey developed a pyramid-stepped stage that displayed nine champion rams, and it was such a big success that the formation is still used in today's shows.
In 1971 Godfrey formed a partnership with George and Valerie Harford and the Agrodome was born! It featured an agricultural show that was completely unique to New Zealand and in the following years they opened a retail shop to sell branded products which was run by Valerie Harford. The family connection grew when Ivan Bowen was asked to bring his skills of champion sheep shearing and renowned sheepdog training and he took on the role of senior showman.
1980 brought about the fire that destroyed the original Argodome building, it has been said that Ivan Bowen still put on a show for 100 lucky people as the building lay smouldering in the background. From the fire came the rebuild that added 500 seats to main performance area to meet the growing demand for the farm show experience. That same building is still used today.
Godfrey passed away at the age of 72 in 1994, this was the same year that saw the Agrodome win its first of many tourism awards for the best visitor attraction in New Zealand. As it stands his legacy is long lasting and the Bowen's achievements in the world of sheep sharing is unmatched.
The addition of the Farm Tour to the Agrodome experience has grown progressively to now include the kiwifruit orchard, olive grove, honey tasting and a range of exotic farm animals, including deer, alpacas, cattle and 19 different breeds of sheep, all of whom can be hand fed. These experiences have firmly cemented the Agrodome as a truly New Zealand experience.
Agrodome has won many awards in the years that followed including the NZ Order of Merit for George Harford and Ivan Bowen who sadly passed away in 2006, which left the farm in the hands of the next generation, their sons Warren Harford and Paul Bowen.
The legacy of their fathers continued with Paul building the Bowen House to raise his own children, and in 2011 Ngai Tahu was welcomed into the family. They formed a partnership that guaranteed the continued investment and development for the future.
2023 saw the Agrodome fully owned by Ngai Tahu and the National Kiwi Hatchery moved into the new purpose-built building on the farm. At night if you're lucky you may get to hear the shrill call our national bird during the night.
Godfrey and George's legacy carries on to this day with the help of George and Valerie's grandson and great grandchildren, who are still very much a part of the farm.
The Agrodome has now been running for 50 years, combining authentic New Zealand farming with showmanship, entertainment, and that good old kiwi humor.