Time and efficiency were put to the test when 130 competitors vied for top spot during the 62nd NZ Merino Shearing and Woolhandling Championships last week.

The event returned to Alexandra on Friday and Saturday, attracting some of the best shearers and woolhandlers from around New Zealand and Australia.

Alexandra’s Stacey Te Huia placed fourth in the open shearing final (he was runner up in 2022). First, second and third went to Southlanders Leon Samuels, Brett Roberts and Nathan Stratford, respectively. 

Leon secured a place in the trans-Tasman series, which kicks-off later this month with the first test during the Australian National Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Jamestown, South Australia.

South Otago woolhandler Tia Potae returns to trans-Tasman test-match competition after an absence of 10 years after winning the open woolhandling title.

Tia also won the Gina Nathan Trophy for the best quality points through the heats, quarterfinals, semi-finals and final of the championships.

Tia Potae on her way to winning the open woolhandling final in Alexandra on Saturday. PHOTO: Barbara Newton

Tia previously represented New Zealand in the annual home-and-away series in 2005-2006 and again in 2013-2014, each time as a result of winning the New Zealand Woolhandler of the Year title at the Otago Shears in Balclutha.

She won the Inaugural Primary Industries Award at the 2021 New Zealand Women of Influence Awards, for work supporting shearers, woolhandlers and their families through the Covid-19 outbreak.

In the open woolhandling final Logan Kamura (Marton) was second and four-times Alexandra Open winner Joel Henare (Gisborne) third.

The senior shearing final was won by Aiden Tarrant (Taumarunui), the senior woolhandling title was won by Kromey Elers (Mataura), and the junior woolhandling final was won by Lucy Elers (Mataura).

A special feature was the performances of members of an Australian First Nations Indigenous team, brought to New Zealand by trainer and Australia-based New Zealander Samson Te Whata.

NZ Merino Shearing Society president Lane MckSkimming said the event took a lot to bring together and was only possible due to the dedicated commitment of the committee, volunteers, sponsors, whānau and community. 

Kromey Elers, who shears in Central, throws a fleece like an expert in the senior woolhandling heat. PHOTO: The Central App

The open shearing heats also constituted the first round of the 2023-2024 PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Shearing Circuit, the second round is at the Waimate Spring Shears shearing and woolhandling championships, which will be held on Friday and Saturday this week (October 6-7).

NZ merino sheep are well known for their toughness, very fine soft wool and wrinkly skin. PHOTO: Supplied 

There are 60 shows on the shearing calendar this season, which finishes at the New Zealand Shears in Te Kuiti on April 4-6. 

Read more: Supportive atmosphere at woolhandling competition.

Read more: NZ Merino and Woolhandling Champs return.