National Shearing Circuit

Dating back to 1972, the National Shearing Circuit is a prestigious competition celebrating excellence in the skill of shearing. PGG Wrightson has stood as a principal sponsor for two decades.

A longstanding partnership forged in 2001 between PGG Wrightson and the event has been sustained, evolving into a collaborative sponsorship with Vetmed, a notable figure in the realm of animal health products. As a result, the event will be proudly titled the PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Shearing Circuit.

The competition spans five rounds, commencing in Alexandra during October with the fine wool section. The journey then progresses to Waimate for full wool hoggets, followed by the Corriedales stage in Christchurch in November. Come Waitangi Day, the focus shifts to lambs in Rangitikei, culminating in February's final leg in Pahiatua with second shears.

Culminating in Masterton, the circuit's pinnacle sees the top 12 shearers, determined by their accumulated points across the five rounds, competing on the eve of the Golden Shears.

2023/2024 Shearing Circuit dates

 

VENUE

DATE

CHAMPIONSHIP

BREED

Alexandra

29-30 September 2023   

NZ Merino Shearing Championships

Merino

Waimate

6-7 October 2023

NZ Spring Shears

Romney Full Wool

Christchurch

15-17 November 2023

NZ Corriedale Shearing/Woolhandling Championships Hosted by the NZ Agricultural Show

Corriedale

Marton

3 February 2024

Rangitikei Shears

Romney Lambs

Pahiatua

25 February 2024

Pahiatua Shears

Romney Second Shear

Masterton

1-3 March 2024

Golden Shears

Multi Breeds

National Shearing Circuit News

Video or image
8 March 2024
Categories
Wool
National Shearing Circuit
Community

PGG Wrightson extends National Shearing sponsorship to 45 years

PGG Wrightson has extended its sponsorship of one of shearing’s most prestigious and demanding events. Established in 1973, the PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Shearing Circuit pits the top shearers against each other based on versatility over five separate rounds. In terms of competitive shearing...

Video or image
27 February 2024
Categories
Market Commentary
Wool
National Shearing Circuit

Wool Report: Insights into market resilience and industry trends

In a recent interview with Rowena Duncum from The Country, Grant Edwards, the General Manager of Wool at PGG Wrightson, provided valuable insights into the current state of the wool market and highlighted significant developments within the industry. Market Overview Grant Edwards began by discussing...

Video or image
1 November 2023
Categories
Wool
Community
National Shearing Circuit

Nathan Stratford on target for 20th National Shearing Circuit final

Two-times National Shearing Circuit champion Nathan Stratford has set sail for a possible 20th final in the annual all-breeds championship with maximum points in the first three rounds of the 2023-2024 PGG Wrightson/Vetmed series. The Southland gun first reached the final in 2000, when it was won by...

Video or image
9 October 2023
Categories
Wool
National Shearing Circuit
Community

Southland gun Samuels makes it a double

Southland shearer and New Zealand representative Leon Samuels completed a double of the traditional first two titles of the shearing sports season when he reclaimed the Waimate Spring Shearing Championship open shearing title in Waimate on Saturday. Samuels, winner of the national fine wool...

Video or image
3 October 2023
Categories
Wool
National Shearing Circuit
Community

Tia Potae returns to New Zealand shearing sports team

South Otago woolhandler Tia Potae returns to Trans-Tasman test-match competition after an absence of 10 years by winning the New Zealand Merino Shears open woolhandling title in Alexandra on Saturday. Potae has competed sparingly at times as she has pursued other interests in the wool industry over...

Video or image
28 September 2023
Categories
National Shearing Circuit
Community
Wool

Fine wool challenge starts shearing sports season

An attempt to stop Australia from claiming New Zealand’s top fine wool shearing title, and the selection of a shearer and woolhandler for next month’s Trans-Tasman tests, will be features of the New Zealand Merino Shears in Alexandra on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 September. Last year, the open...

Video or image
8 March 2024
Categories
Wool
National Shearing Circuit
Community

PGG Wrightson extends National Shearing sponsorship to 45 years

PGG Wrightson has extended its sponsorship of one of shearing’s most prestigious and demanding events. Established in 1973, the PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Shearing Circuit pits the top shearers against each other based on versatility over five separate rounds. In terms of competitive shearing...

Video or image
27 February 2024
Categories
Market Commentary
Wool
National Shearing Circuit

Wool Report: Insights into market resilience and industry trends

In a recent interview with Rowena Duncum from The Country, Grant Edwards, the General Manager of Wool at PGG Wrightson, provided valuable insights into the current state of the wool market and highlighted significant developments within the industry. Market Overview Grant Edwards began by discussing...

Video or image
1 November 2023
Categories
Wool
Community
National Shearing Circuit

Nathan Stratford on target for 20th National Shearing Circuit final

Two-times National Shearing Circuit champion Nathan Stratford has set sail for a possible 20th final in the annual all-breeds championship with maximum points in the first three rounds of the 2023-2024 PGG Wrightson/Vetmed series. The Southland gun first reached the final in 2000, when it was won by...

Video or image
9 October 2023
Categories
Wool
National Shearing Circuit
Community

Southland gun Samuels makes it a double

Southland shearer and New Zealand representative Leon Samuels completed a double of the traditional first two titles of the shearing sports season when he reclaimed the Waimate Spring Shearing Championship open shearing title in Waimate on Saturday. Samuels, winner of the national fine wool...

Video or image
3 October 2023
Categories
Wool
National Shearing Circuit
Community

Tia Potae returns to New Zealand shearing sports team

South Otago woolhandler Tia Potae returns to Trans-Tasman test-match competition after an absence of 10 years by winning the New Zealand Merino Shears open woolhandling title in Alexandra on Saturday. Potae has competed sparingly at times as she has pursued other interests in the wool industry over...

Video or image
28 September 2023
Categories
National Shearing Circuit
Community
Wool

Fine wool challenge starts shearing sports season

An attempt to stop Australia from claiming New Zealand’s top fine wool shearing title, and the selection of a shearer and woolhandler for next month’s Trans-Tasman tests, will be features of the New Zealand Merino Shears in Alexandra on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 September. Last year, the open...

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