16/09/2026
Thank you for all the memories
๐ค ๐ 1981-2026 / 45 YEARS OF UPPER MOHAKA RODEO ๐๐ค
The end of an eraโฆ โค๏ธ
After 45 years of rodeo, laughter, hard work, friendships, great crowds, great horses, tough bulls and some absolute chaos it is with great sadness ---but also with a lot of great memories ---that we let you all know that Upper Mohaka Rodeo Club will no longer be running rodeos.
The Upper Mohaka Domain was given back to the Iwi a few years ago. It is their whenua, and we respect that they have the right to decide what happens with their land.
We are incredibly grateful for the 45 years we have been lucky enough to call the Upper Mohaka Domain home. โค๏ธ
So, before we close this chapter we thought weโd take you all on a little waltz down memory laneโฆ. ๐
๐ค WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Back in 1981, Charlie Brown, Charles Pearce, Terry Berkett, Dick Cave, Shorty Hammond, Rex James, Don James and Ash OโConnor got together with an idea. The Te Haroto/ Te Pohue area was alive and pumping.
There were full forestry camps, ministry of works camps and big stations and ballot blocks like Crohane, Mimiha, Twin Creeks, Tarawera, Woodstock and Tatraakina to mention a few. The schools were full of kids and the communities were thriving and the local sports day had become so big the boys thought- why not have a non-points rodeo on a separate day?
And so, the Upper Mohaka Rodeo was born. ๐ค ๐
A scrim, a few cars for an arena fenceโฆ. What possibly could go wrong?
Wellโฆ. absolute organised chaos! ๐
As time went on Meeanee Rodeo came to an end and so the boys got serious.
Dick Cave had his Brahman Bulls and the Meeanee horses, and it was time to build an arena.
There was plenty of native timber and any board that could be found was put to good use. Having a mate working at the mill certainly helped!
There is even one very heavy gate still standing today-made from green bluegum. ๐ชต
The Highway 61 club just happened to be riding past and saw stuff going on at the grounds, so they called in and became great supporters of our rodeo.
The unforgettable roar of those bikes coming over the Titiokura hill and across the Mohaka bridge is a memory that will definitely be etched into many minds. ๐๏ธ
Those boys on their bikes were so respectful to our community and our club and I know all the kids (and I bet some adults too) that were given a ride on their bikes will also never forget that experience. โค๏ธ
Because they helped build the original arena Charlie decided that there would be a compulsory Highway 61 Bull Ride---and it quickly became a crowd favourite. ๐๐ฅ
๐ค A SECOND DIVISION RODEO
Upper Mohaka Rodeo eventually became a second division rodeo, and Charlie was fierce in his conviction that it would always remain a Second Division Rodeo.
It was a place where young cowboys and cowgirls could get their start in rodeo, learn their craft and have a go.
That was always a big part of what made Upper Mohaka special---it was about giving people a start. โค๏ธ๐
โค๏ธ GIVING BACK
Over the years, the club has given back and helped the community.
Proceeds helped TePohue, including having funds available so the school house could be purchased. Also donations made to the Te Pohue playcentre towards an equipment shed.
A rodeo was also held back at Meanee to help pay for a history book about Te Pohue and a community gathering.
The club also ran another rodeo to raise funds for the local sports club who were needing help.
They have supported the Te Haroto netball team and whenever there was something happening in the community that needed a hand Upper Mohaka was there. And it wasnโt only for the local community either.
Upper Mohaka also ran rodeos in Dannevirke at the A&P showgrounds. ๐ค
๐๏ธ THE TOKOROA ARENA
In 2010, the Upper Mohaka Rodeo Club purchased the Tokoroa Rodeo Club arena. And in the true Upper Mohaka Rodeo styleโฆ21 days later, the arena was up!
Thatโs the sort of teamwork and determination that has carried this club for 45 years. ๐ชโค๏ธ
โค๏ธ THE SECRETARIES
There have been some amazing people behind the scenes over the years, and we certainly donโt want to forget anyone.
Shorty Hammond
Lesley Pore
Margaret Gardiner
Pauline McVicar
Jenny Atkinson
Annette McPherson
And for the last 23 years
Lisa Tahau- (Twenty three years , Lisa thatโs one hell of a stint!) โค๏ธ
๐ค OUR PRESIDENTS
Upper Mohaka has only had two Presidents in its 45 years
The late great Terry Berkett and Simon Tahau. Thatโs quite a legacy. โค๏ธ
โค๏ธ TO OUR PEOPLE
There are so many families and people who have been part of the Upper Mohaka Rodeo over the years.
The Browns, Gannons, Prices, McVicars, Burnetts , Ormonds, Kirbys, Holloways, Kings and more recently Tahaus, Grahams, Annons, OโCallaghans, Wards, Steve Boyd, Charlotte Coles, Pedlars, Lords and no doubt there are plenty more names we should be mentioning so please forgive us if we have missed you.
There have been too many people to name but a huge thank you to every single person who has helped, worked, competed, cooked, built, pulled down, cleaned up, judged, timed, hauled stock, organised or simply just turned up has been a big part of our story. โค๏ธ
โค๏ธ TO OUR SPONSORS
To every sponsor- big or small โ THANK YOU!. We appreciate each and every one of you as we definitely couldnโt have run for so many years without you.
45 years of loyalty and support is something special. We are truly grateful for everything you have done for Upper Mohaka Rodeo. ๐โค๏ธ
๐ TO OUR STOCK CONTRACTORS
To all the stock contractors who over the years let us use their stock at heavily discounted rates, (and in many cases free) and also those who carted their stock at cost for us to run our rodeo.
Without your huge generosity we definitely wouldnโt have been able to afford to continue for so long.
Thank you for your huge contribution to our club and for your love of rodeo. โค๏ธ๐
โค๏ธ TO OUR CLUB MEMBERS
To our past and present club members: Thank you
Thank you for the hard work, the laughs, the long days, the late nights and even the arguments, the teamwork, the crutchings, the Waituhi-Kuratau dockings and the friendships.
Teamwork really does make the Dream Work---and we had it in spades. โค๏ธ
โค๏ธ AND FINALLY
To the competitors, the loyal crowd, our community, our families, our friends, our sponsors, our vendors and everyone who has walked through the gates over the past 45 years
THANK YOU โค๏ธ
You have helped make Upper Mohaka Rodeo what it is today. There have been good times, hard times, dusty times, muddy times, bloody hot times, bloody cold timesโand plenty of stories that probably shouldnโt be repeated! ๐
But most of all, there have been 45 years of memories made along the way. โค๏ธ
๐ค So what happens now?
For the moment we think we are going to let the dust settle. The arena will be removed, and who knows what the future holds. Maybe someone will say โBring the arena here!โ Or perhaps we will donate it to another club so they can enjoy it and make their own memories.
What ever happens, one thing is certainโฆ.
We have absolutely enjoyed the ride. ๐ค ๐โค๏ธ
45 years
Countless memories
One hell of a rodeo club
โค๏ธ Thank you Upper Mohaka Rodeo Club its been one hell of a ride. โค๏ธ
๐ค ๐ 1981-2026 ๐โค๏ธ
