The Upper Clutha A&P Association was formed in 1895 as the Upper Clutha Valley A&P Association, with the first Show being held at the Cromwell Racecourse in 1896. It is common local knowledge that the now current A&P Show had its beginnings in 1895; however, there do not seem to be any articles nor minutes that directly connect the two. The names Association and Society are both used, and indeed both were referred to in the 26th April 1909 Minutes, so it appears that there is no real difference in the designation.

The Upper Clutha Society Show in Cromwell had varied support varied year to year, and then World War 1 intervened. Soon after the war, Richard Wilson came to be the manager of Wanaka Station; he led the task of reforming the Upper Clutha A&P Association and was successful in having it centred on Pembroke.

In 1933 the Show was reinstated in Wānaka, with the first Show being in 1934, and it has been based at the picturesque lakefront Showgrounds ever since, run by the Upper Clutha A&P Society. The Show takes its annual show dates from 1934.

To celebrate the 50th Show, Mrs Sybil Hunt, wife of the Society’s first president – Mr J S Hunt – opened the event in 1983. In 2012, Prime Minister John Key attended to mark the 75th Show. As a member of the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand, the Wanaka A&P Show hosted a Royal Event in 2008. Three events – Round the Ring Equestrian, Dog Trials and Stud Sheep – were given the prestigious status and 14 RAS Royal Event medals were awarded.

For more information on the history of A&P Shows in New Zealand, visit Te Ara - The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand.