As the first day of Masterton’s “Wimbledon of shearing” dawns, spectators and competitors are flocking to the region.
After a two year hiatus due to covid-19 pandemic restrictions, not to mention Wings Over Wairarapa’s recent postponement, the opening day of The Golden Shears – the world’s premier shearing, woolhandling, and woolpressing championship – arrives with high hopes the event will provide a much-need economic boost to Wairarapa.
“Traditionally, it’s an amazing event that brings people to the region,” Destination Wairarapa marketing manager Barb Hyde said.
“It’s a busy weekend, with high demand for accommodation.”
Demand driven by the iconic event certainly appeared to have thinned out Wairarapa’s accommodations options, with a quick sweep of booking sites yesterday indicating only half a dozen or fewer baches were available on Bookabach or AirBnB across Wairarapa in the coming days.
Golden Shears president Sam Saunders said anticipation was high – especially given the last time the annual event was held was pre-pandemic in 2020.
“It’s like a big reunion and it puts Masterton on the world stage.
“Everybody is under the pump and excited for it to begin, and trying to remember all the little things that go on behind the scenes.
“But when you’re in the shearing and judging, you get to meet people from all over the world.
“The reunion is what I’m looking forward to the most.”
Despite the recent havoc wreaked by Cyclone Gabrielle on the East Coast, Saunders said entries were still numbering in the hundreds for the four-day competition.
“Three teams have pulled out citing the cyclone, but we have well over 300 entries, and they will still be dribbling in.”
Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell said the absence of Golden Shears during the height of pandemic restrictions had left a “major gap in our calendars”, and in the region’s pocket.
“It brings the country to the town – and from an economic impact perspective alone, that is very significant.
“I have seen it estimated at $3-4 million.”
Caffell noted that although the term ‘iconic’ was generally overused, it was appropriate regarding the championship, which was first held in March in 1961.
“It truly fits for the Golden Shears,” he said.
“It is our event, and the town will be buzzing this weekend.”
Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty liked to describe the event as the ‘Wimbledon of Shearing’.
“It is the greatest accolade in the sport and the one title every competitive shearer dreams of winning.”
McAnulty confirmed he would be attending the event but will not be on MC duties as he has been in previous years.
Nonetheless, he remained an enthusiastic Golden Shears booster and noted the world-class event – which is run entirely by volunteers – had the power to excite an interest in shearing among even the diffident spectators, and he encouraged locals to get behind it.
“I have seen people enter the War Memorial Stadium sceptical of what they were about to witness,” McAnulty said, “but every single one left in no doubt they’d just seen something special.”
Radio Hauraki will be broadcasting from the War Memorial Stadium throughout the competition and will be live from 4-7pm.
