TypeAgencyParallel NameWellington Show Association IncOther NamesWellington Show AssnWinter Show AssociationWellington Winter Show AssociationDate Range11 June 1924-Circa 1994DescriptionThe Wellington Show Association Inc was incorporated on 11 June 1924, and the first Winter Show was held July 1924 in Wellington Harbour Board buildings. Its first President was C J B Norwood; Chairman, R H Nimmo; and Vice-Chairman, F C Cray. The Patron was was the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson and Vice-Patron, Prime Minister, J G Coates. There were 37 Vice-Presidents.
In 1928 it issued a prospectus for £50,000 8% debentures, under the Wellington City Exhibition and Grounds Act, 1927 to build a show building and sports ground on land it owned in John Street.
The Winter Show Building was built as a permanent home for the Winter Show, an annual trade fair promoting agriculture, trade and industrial innovations.
In 1956 the complex caught fire and although the complex itself remained largely intact, the association lost all of their previous records.
In 1982 the association started a redevelopment program of the John Street site, which included making the roof high enough to play international tennis in and a new facade. The updated building complex was named The Wellington Show and Sports Centre.
In February 1990 a trade fair was held to celebrate New Zealand's sesquicentennial 'Sesqui 1990' was a joint venture between the Wellington Show Association and Wellington City Council. The fair was held in two venues: one on the waterfront, and the Winter Show Building. This event was closed early after two weeks.
In 1992, after the failure of Sesqui, Wellington City Council became involved in the Association and in 1994 the Rules were changed to require a majority of the Board members to be from WCC. The Wellington Show Association held its last Winter Show in 1994.
In June 1996 Wellington City Council took over ownership of the building in exchange for the debt owed to it by the Association and The Wellington Show Association was liquidated in 1999.External LinksWikipedia article on the Winter Show Building
