Shearing and woolhandling won’t be the only activities on offer when the New Zealand merino championships roll into Alexandra this weekend.

Not for profit Māori health organisation Uruuruwhenua Hauora will also provide free health and wellness care for everyone during the 63rd New Zealand Merino Shearing and Woolhandling Championships, taking place from tomorrow.

Free drop-in appointments are available for competitors, spectators and whānau at the on-site nurse clinic at Molyneux stadium from 10am - 3pm on Friday and Saturday. 

Services include vaccinations, podiatry help, mirimiri (traditional Māori massage incorporating wairua/the spirit), Te Waka Wahine Hauora Women’s health and the Southern Stop Smoking service.

Nurse Lana John said the organisation understood access could be hard for people working remotely or working long hours in the wool industry.

“Being [at the NZ Merino and Woollhandling champs] is a way to link to Uruuruwhenua whānau ora services for these people too.

“Uruuruwhenua Hauora have been hosting hauora services alongside NZ Shearing and Woolhandling Championships for the past four years. 

"Along with a group of skilled providers and health promotion resources, this year we have our health bus Tipi Haere onsite for nurse and vaccination consultations, increasing accessibility for whānau. Across the two day competition 10 Uruuruwhenua kaimahi (staff) will be onsite to tautoko (support) the event.”

Lana said they were grateful to local primary health providers and pharmacies for their support to work together at events such as the weekend of woolhandling and shearing.

Uruuruwhenua whānau ora navigators Denise Fowler (left) and Alva Bennett provided health and social support information to shearers and whānau last year and they’re returning in 2024. PHOTO: The Central App

The NZ Merino Shearing and Woolhandling Championships will see some of the industry's fastest and most efficient workers compete when the event returns to the stadium at Molyneux Park in Alexandra from tomorrow morning.

NZ merino sheep are well known for their toughness, very fine soft wool and wrinkly skin, adding an extra element to the competition. PHOTO: NZ Merino Shearing Association

The weekend’s action includes open and senior shearing; open, senior, junior and novice woolhandling; teams event; teddy bear shear and a team event. 

The highlight will be the NZ Merino Open Shearing and Woolhandling finals and the teams' finals, after the president's welcome on Saturday evening from 7pm. 

There are 60 shows on the shearing calendar in 2024/2025 season, which finishes at the New Zealand Shears in Te Kuiti on March 2.

Check out Uruuruwhenua’s free health services at NZ Merino shears

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