The PGG Wrightson / Vetmed National Shearing Circuit is in full swing, with the competition intensifying as we edge closer to the Golden Shears. On Saturday, 1 February, the fourth round took place at the Rangitīkei Shearing Sports in Marton, marking the first North Island event of the series. With strong entries and a fiercely competitive field, the margins were razor-thin—only 0.393 of a point separated first and second place!

Stratford leads the charge
Defending champion Nathan Stratford continued to showcase his skill, securing top points once again and extending his lead in the standings. Stratford now sits just three points shy of the maximum possible 48 after four rounds. Among the other front-runners are past champions Leon Samuels, Paerata Abraham, Angus Moore, and John Kirkpatrick, all of whom remain well-positioned to make the cut for the final showdown.

Final round at Pahiatua Shears
The last qualifying round will take place on 23 February at the Pahiatua Shears. While up to 10 competitors appear to have locked in their top-12 positions, nothing is certain just yet—every shearer must complete this final round to remain in contention for the semi-finals.

The road to Masterton
Once the top 12 is confirmed, the competition will move to Masterton for the National Circuit Semi-Finals at the Golden Shears from 27 February to 1 March. The top six from the semi-finals will then battle it out in the National Circuit Final, shearing 15 sheep across five different wool types. The stakes couldn’t be higher—the winner will not only earn the coveted McSkimming Memorial Triple Crown but also secure a place in the 2026-2027 New Zealand Trans-Tasman series team and receive a year’s use of a Hyundai Santa Fe.

With just one round to go before the finals, the pressure is on. Stay tuned as we follow the journey of New Zealand’s top shearers towards one of the most prestigious titles in the sport!

Results from Rangitikei Shears:
1^st – David Buick (Pongaroa)
2^nd – Toa Henderson (Kaiwaka)
3^rd – David Gordon (Masterton)
4^th – Nathan Stratford (Invercargill)
5^th – Digger Balme – (Otorohanga)
6^th – Axle Reid – (Waipawa)

The National Shearing Circuit current top 12 with points and placings 
(with tied points separated by better placings in the first round at Alexandra) are: 
Nathan Stratford (Invercargill) 45pts, 1; 
Jack Fagan (Te Kuiti) 34pts, 2; 
Gavin Mutch (Scotland/Dannevirke) 30pts, 3; 
Axle Reid (Waipawa) 20pts, 4; 
Leon Samuels (Roxburgh) 20pts, 5; 
Casey Bailey (Riverton) 19pts, 6; 
Alex Smith (Rakaia) 18pts, 7; 
Angus Moore (Ward) 18pts, 8; 
Paerata Abraham (Masterton) 17pts, 9, 
John Kirkpatrick (Pakipaki) 17pts, 10; 
Stacey Te Huia (Mossburn) 13pts, 11; 
Hemi Braddick (Eketahuna) 13pts, 12. 

Others: 
Floyd Neil (Taumarunui) 11pts, 13; Justin Meikle (Oamaru) 8pts, 14; Hugh De Lacy (Rangiora) 8pts, 15; Lionel Taumata (Gore) 7pts, 16; Paul Robertson (Euroa, Vic) 6pts, 17; Dion Morrell (Alexandra) 5pts, 18; Brett Roberts (Mataura) 5pts, 19; Paraki Puna (Napier) 5pts, 20; James Ruki (Te Kuiti) 4pts, 21; Thomas Lambert (Christchurch) 3pts, 22; Adam Gordon (Masterton) 3pts, 23; Llyr Jones (Wales) 3pts, 24; Kyle Mita (Masterton) 3pts, 25; Willy McSkimming (Oamaru) 3pts, 26; Josef Winders (Invercargill) 3pts, 27; Colin Dennison (Omarama) 2pts, 28; Corey Palmer (Dipton) 2pts, 29; Taare Edwards Ashburton) 2pts, 30; Chris Dickson (Masterton) 2pts, 31; Beau Guelfi (Gisborne) 2pts, 32; Catherine Mullooly (Matawai) 1pt, 33; James Fagan (Te Kuiti) 1pt, 34; Paul Hodges (Geraldine) 1pt, 35; Norm Harraway (Mossburn) 1pt, 36; Kevahn Stringer (Ranfurly) 1pt, 37; Ringakaha Paewai (Gore) 1pt, 38.