The National Shearing Circuit is a prestigious competition celebrating excellence in the skill of shearing. PGG Wrightson has sponsored the National Shearing Circuit for the past 18 years, and has recently renewed its sponsorship for the next three years.
Established in 1973 the circuit is approaching its fiftieth anniversary. Continuing its relationship with the event that began in 2003, under the current arrangement PGG Wrightson is co-sponsoring with animal health product manufacturer Nexan, meaning the event will be titled the PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Shearing Circuit.
Shearers compete for points over five rounds, starting in Alexandra in October with the fine wool section; moving to full wool hoggets in Waimate; Corriedales in Christchurch in November; lambs in Rangitikei on Waitangi Day; and concluding in Pahiatua later in February with second shears.
Based on points earned through those five rounds, the circuit final is fought out in Masterton by the top 12 shearers on the eve of the Golden Shears.


2021/2022 Shearing Circuit dates
VENUE |
DATE | CHAMPIONSHIP | BREED |
Alexandra |
1-2 October 2021 |
NZ Merino Shearing Championships | Merino |
Waimate |
8-9 October 2021 | NZ Spring Shears | Romney Full Wool |
Christchurch |
11-12 November 2021 |
NZ Corriedale Shearing/Woolhandling Championships Hosted by the NZ Agricultural Show |
Corriedale |
Marton |
5 February 2022 | Rangitikei Shears | Romney Lambs |
Pahiatua |
27 February 2022 | Pahiatua Shears | Romney Second Shear |
Masterton | 3-5 March 2022 | Golden Shears (Cancelled) | Multi Breeds |
National Shearing Circuit news
Wool Street Journal: Wool report - Highs and lows of the market around the world
Jamie Mackay from The Country has just had his monthly catch-up with Grant Edwards from PGG Wrightson Wool to see how the market is faring. As an aside, Mackay offered hearty congratulations to PGG Wrightson for forty years of support for the IHC Calf and Rural Scheme. Edwards agreed that it was a...
Wool Street Journal: Grower advice - Avoid being penalised for over-weight bales.
Grower advice: Take care to avoid being penalised for over-weight bales. For safety and efficiency, industry standards require that over-weight bales must be reduced. Excess wool will be re-packed into lighter-weight bales within the same line. In the case of several over-weight bales within a...
Wool Street Journal: Grower warning - Do not consign wool in ‘Econopack’ labelled bales
Grower warning: Do not consign wool in ‘Econopack’ labelled bales. Over the past two years, a line of new wool packs sold to farmers across the country proved unfit for purpose. Although these packs have been banned within the supply chain, they are again appearing in wool stores, likely out of...