Trish Stevens, the recently elected president of the Golden Shears [GS], is no stranger to the ins and outs of the iconic event.
Only the second woman to occupy that position, Stevens has already held several committee roles for the organisation and said she’s ready to roll with the punches as preparations for the next GS Championships ramp up.
The 20th GS World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships will be held in Masterton in 2026 –the first time in more than a decade – with the event expected to take place on March 4–7.
The World Championships were first held in England in 1977, and Masterton has hosted the event four times since then –in 1980, 1988, 1996, and 2012.
“The Golden Shears is an internationally recognised name that has grown in status over the past 60-plus years,” Stevens said.
“It is an iconic Wairarapa brand that brings a financial lift to the district each year and showcases the professionalism and skill of those involved in the wool industry.
“I am very proud to have the support of the committee to lead this organisation.”
With 14 women currently on the committee, Stevens said they are very much a big part of the decision-making within the GS.
“As women have always made up a large percentage of participants in the wool industry, this seems a very fair representation,” she said.
Stevens said she plans to uphold the integrity and continue the positive momentum of the event.
“I would like to be able to leave the role of president in the future knowing that I have helped grow the event and ensured the health of our committee and the volunteer base that we rely on so much,” she said.
“We are here to stay and will continue to focus on returning maximum value and support back to the community via competitors, supporters, and visitors the Golden Shears attracts to Wairarapa.”
