After more than a century of bringing people together in Southland, the Tuatapere Sports Day will hold its final event on New Year’s Day, marking the end of a 116-year tradition.
Organiser and long-time commentator Peter Templeton confirmed that this year’s event would be the last, citing major changes in community interest and involvement.
"It's a sign of the times, but there's nothing you can do about it. As I said, everything's changed," Templeton said.
"They're more interested in just eating hot chips and walking around with their cell phones in their hands."
Over the years, the event has seen a steady decline. Popular features such as clay bird shooting, cycling, Highland dancing and the pipe band have all disappeared. Templeton noted that younger generations were less inclined to take on organising roles, leaving much of the work to older residents.
“It was mostly run by older people as younger ones were not interested in stepping up and looking after it,” he said.
A recent public meeting held to discuss the event’s future drew just two attendees, highlighting the community's waning involvement.
Templeton, who has been part of the event for decades and served as its voice for more than 30 years, also pointed to an external challenge – the Riverton Racing Club now holds races on the same day, drawing potential attendees away from Tūātapere.
As it stands, only two main competitions will be held this year – wood chopping and athletics. That, Templeton admits, isn’t enough to draw the crowds of the past.
"People aren't going to come all the way out from Invercargill to watch something and there's just two things happening, you know."
Despite the closure, Templeton remains hopeful about a small turnout of cyclists and confirmed that the bushcraft activities will continue separately at the back of the Waiau Town & Country Club.
Southland mayor Rob Scott praised the event’s long legacy, saying it had been well supported by the community over the years. He also encouraged more people to get involved in helping run such events if they wished to see them continue.