SHEARING brothers John, left and Sir David Fagan unveiled the new Shearing Capital of the World sign last week. Photo Brianna Stewart
On a perfect autumn morning last week, two brothers from a prominent shearing family unveiled a new record of history in Te Kūiti.
A crowd gathered on a brisk but sunny Thursday morning to watch as brothers Sir David and John Fagan pulled back a woolpack to reveal a plaque fixed to limestone, declaring Te Kūiti as the Shearing Capital of the World.
The sign sits at the base of Te Kūiti’s shearer statue on Rora St, which was erected in 1984.
David said it was significant to have New Zealand Shearing Championships patron and life member John present on Thursday.
“Without John’s input, that statue simply would not be there,” he said.
John’s fundraising efforts were vital almost 30 years ago in making the statue possible.
Now when visitors to town stop to take a photo with the larger-than-life shearer, they’ll also get the context of why the statue exists.
“I think it’s really important to have the shearing capital logo next to the statue. And it will stand the test of time,” David said.
“As long as the statue is there, the New Zealand Shearing Capital of the World logo will be there.”
The limestone was taken from David’s Te Kūiti farm, which he noted was also particularly fitting given the district’s association with limestone.
He is pleased to have history recorded in a permanent way which won’t need to be revisited in coming years, such as when signs become dilapidated.
“I think it draws a line in the sand with recording history.
“The committee’s changed, the council’s changed, but that little piece of history is recorded now and there forever.
“I think that’s the best thing about it and we don’t have to worry about deteriorating signs in town and everything else; we just move on and get on with our lives.”
