Golden Shears

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign)

May I then specifically greet you: Laurie Keats and Mavis Mullins, Patron and President respectively of the Golden Shears International Shearing Championships; John Hayes, member of Parliament for Wairarapa; Your Worship Gary Daniell, Mayor of Masterton District; Leith Corner, Chief Executive of Te Puni Kōkiri; competitors; Distinguished guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It has been with great pleasure that my wife Susan and I have accepted the invitation to attend the 50th Anniversary Dinner of the Golden Shears International Shearing Championships and to have had the experience of an hour and a half at the Golden Shears veterans' event this afternoon. I believe this to be the first time that a Governor-General has had the privilege of attending.

I would like to take an opportunity to speak of the significance of the shearing industry, and more widely of agriculture, to New Zealand.
I have had the pleasure of investing a couple of New Zealand's most recognised shearers. In August last year Laurie Keats, Patron of the Championships, was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit at a ceremony at Premier House. Prior to that, in 2007, I had the pleasure of investing David Fagan as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Incidentally, after reading the history of these Championships I was not, therefore, surprised to learn that Laurie was one of the founding members of this competition. Additionally, David Fagan, at last year's championships, won the Golden Shears Open shearing Championships for a remarkable 16th time.

With the first official Golden Shears International Shearing Championships being held in 1961, it is pleasing to see a competition of this kind continuing and building on its success as it celebrates its golden anniversary.

I was also interested to learn that the first competition held proved so popular that a contingent from the New Zealand Army was called upon to control crowds around the stadium.  It is clear that the popularity of this competition has not waned and is as popular today, if not more so than at its debut in 1961.

The Golden Shears International Shearing Championships, which comprise sheep shearing, wool handling and wool pressing competitions, are the current face of what is now a major sporting code, both nationally and internationally. Champion shearers are now being recognised as world-class athletes; a title which is well deserved.

The Championships underline the importance of agriculture to New Zealand's economic health and wellbeing.  While tourism, manufacturing and services have grown as big export earners for New Zealand, the backbone of our economy remains our primary industries.  For example, in 2008, of New Zealand's $36.6 billion of merchandise exports, some $23.5 billion was from the export of live animals, meat, dairy, wool, fruit, wine, vegetables and forestry. New Zealand is the world's largest exporter of crossbred wool and is second only to Australia in the export of wool.

I am told that there are now nine wool scouring plants in this country. These plants have invested in new, locally developed technology, creating one of the most cost-effective scouring industries in the world.  New Zealand's wool industry can be proud of these initiatives.
New Zealand's achievements in sheep and shearing remind one of another ‘achievement', and I place word in quotes, namely the exploits of Shrek the Sheep - an international New Zealand celebrity who evaded being shorn for six years by hiding on the rocky mountain tops of the South Island. Publicity of Shrek and his televised shearing in 2004 by top shearer Peter Casserley spread as far as China and Britain. I understand Shrek is now living happily, in quiet anonymity, on Bendigo Station and has not, contrary to rumour, been served up with mint sauce!

Godfrey Bowen, a world champion shearer who I am sure you will all be familiar with, and who even demonstrated his famous shearing technique for The Queen on five occasions, described the skill and challenge of sheep shearing well. He said: "Shearing is hard work, probably among the hardest we've got, work that calls for much more than just physical strength and exuberance - rather for balance, grace, rhythm, suppleness with eye, brain and hand in smart coordination. All of these are required to make a gun shearer. Shearing demands still another quality - the ability to work and keep going, mastering with a big heart such things as very high temperature (with an iron shed full of sheep on a hot day, heat is almost unbearable), aching back, grease boils, maybe a touch of biliousness or some such ailment, and yet a good man will not give in or knock off."

The sight of New Zealanders in the shearing shed has become an iconic image of New Zealand's rural and agricultural sector.
I therefore take this opportunity to congratulate those, in the words of Bowen, ‘good men and women' competing here. Equally I also want to thank everyone who has contributed to the smooth running and success of these Championships. Events such as this would simply not take place were it not for the countless hours volunteered by those with a passion for its endurance.

I understand that there has been an increase in the number of entries for the 2010 Championships. The high number of entrants taking part in this event ensures healthy competition.

Although participants will be striving to achieve the best in their respective events, the Golden Shears International Championships is also an opportunity where shearers, wool pressers and handlers are able to swap ideas, build friendships, and become experts on different sheep breeds and wool types. I encourage you all to share your wisdom with one another - if not for you own benefit, then for the benefit of our wool industry.

And on that note of anticipation for the competition ahead, I will close in New Zealand's first language Māori, offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.   No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.