Testing times – NZ team shearer, Jack Fagan,
The Āria Waitangi Day Sports event will see some of New Zealand’s finest shearers and woolhandlers jockey for position at the business end of the competitive shearing season.
Testing times – NZ team shearer, Jack Fagan, in winning form at November’s Corriedale Shearing and Woolhandling Championships. Photo Thomas Lambert
“From the shearing and woolhandling side, our entry numbers keep growing – we have well over 100 competitors this year,” organiser and Piopio shearer Mark Barrowcliffe said. “Many of the competitors are doing every show they can in the build up to the Golden Shears and NZ Shearing Championships.”
Late January has been a busy time for shearers competing at numerous shows across the country. However, all roads lead to Masterton for the Golden Shears (March 4–7) and Te Kūiti, NZ Shearing Championships (April 9–11).
A highlight of the Āria event is the first of three New Zealand v Wales shearing tests.
Golden Shears 2025 champion, Toa Henderson (Northland) and King Country’s Jack Fagan went down swinging in a 2–1 test series loss in Wales last year.
While they will be tougher to beat at home, the Kiwis will still have their work cut out for them against Llyr Jones and Gwion Lloyd Evans. Competitors will shear 20 lambs each.
“Both Llyr and Gwion are lamb experts. Managed by Rhys Jones – who’s the brother to local contractor, Delwyn Jones – they have a heap of local knowledge.”
The black singlets are managed by Jack’s cousin, Neil Fagan.
The teams will meet again at the Counties Shears (Pukekohe, Auckland) and Taumarunui Shears.
Shearing may be the main event for many, but it’s not the only sport on programme, which also includes dog trials, equestrian competitions, running races and more, said Barrowcliffe.
“There’s something for everyone, including fun events for children – the water slide at the end of the day is always a hit and it occupies them while the adults watch the shearing and other final events.”
Testing times – NZ team shearer, Jack Fagan, in winning form at November’s Corriedale Shearing and Woolhandling Championships. Photo Thomas Lambert
