The licence to host the annual horticultural fair expires next month, and Hamilton and Christchurch are bidding to pluck the event from its current venue, Manukau City's Auckland Botanic Gardens.
The Times spoke to several exhibitors at the event, many of whom could see the benefits of the show being held in Hamilton, with Claudelands Events Centre as a proposed venue.
Punters, meanwhile, were not so convinced, with most voicing concern about Auckland losing the hosting rights.
Mike Roach, owner of Tamahere's Roach's Nursery, was strongly in favour of Hamilton claiming the event.
"I think it's got huge potential for Hamilton we've got the V8s, the rally (World Rally Championship round), so I think it'd be a huge benefit to Hamilton," said Mr Roach.
"I think it needs to go south: we've got Claudelands, which I think is a big enough area, and if the council are going to do up the buildings, I think it would be ideal."
He felt the city should not be put off if it missed out on the event.
"If Christchurch gets it, I think we need to start our own one up in Hamilton. I think we need to push for it."
Mr Roach, whose company has been exhibiting at the Ellerslie Flower Show for five years, said it would be more cost-effective for his firm if the event was in Waikato.
"Hamilton would really suit us fine."
Tessa Jones, proprietor of Tauranga's Gummies Ltd, also supported a move to Hamilton.
"I think it'd be great it'd be much closer for me, much easier, and I could go home at the end of the day. It'd be much more cost-effective for me, and more convenient."
She felt more Tauranga people would be inclined to attend to show if it was held in Hamilton.
Juliette Clouston of Blenheim firm Munchy Seeds Lawncourt Harvest said her firm would "most definitely" still exhibit if the event shifted to Hamilton.
She was familiar with the proposed Hamilton venue, the Claudelands Events Centre, but wasn't convinced it was the ideal location.
"We do the Great NZ Craft show there, and I think it (the flower show) needs to be outside. You've got beautiful gardens there, and I think that would be the place to have it."
Mark Donovan, CEO of Waikato firm Donovan's Chocolates, said it would also be cheaper for him to exhibit at the event if it moves to Hamilton.
"I think it would be great. This is one of the best-run shows we take part in."
Mr Donovan wasn't keen on a possible shift to Christchurch.
"It would be a very special circumstance for us to go that far south we're concentrating on the Auckland and North Island market."
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