Wool shearing and handling competitions hit hard by pandemic restrictions in 2021 are set to kick off in the new year, with a determination to keep the sport under the amber light conditions of the Covid-19 protection framework.

While early February’s big show Rangitikei Shearing Sports has joined the list of cancellations, there are still 29 competitions remaining on Shearing Sports New Zealand’s schedule as of mid-April.

The Rangitikei Shears were scheduled to take place in Marton on February 5, incorporating the fourth-round lamb shearing leg of the PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Sharing Circuit.

Of the 59 competitions on Shearing Sports New Zealand’s calendar for the season, 23 have been canceled and before Christmas only seven have taken place – all on the South Island.

The Duvauchelle Shears Peninsula Shear kicked off 2022 at Banks Peninsula on Saturday, January 8.

The first North Island competition of the season will be the Horowhenua Shears in Levin on January 23, with organizers adding woolhandling, due to the demise of the North Island woolhandling circuit, by canceling 10 of its 13 innings so far.

Shearing Sports New Zealand chairman Sir David Fagan said the SSNZ executive had discussed the situation with competitions continuing and supported them to meet the ‘orange’ requirement that competitors and any other participant must have their vaccination pass confirming their double vaccination.

Contact tracing conditions would also apply and mask-wearing would be required, except in competition.

Without the vaccine requirement, events would be limited to a maximum of 50 people, which would likely make them impossible to hold.

Fagan said the executive recognizes both the additional responsibilities taken on by competition organizers and the plight and plight of those who had to cancel.

“Safety is obviously the overriding concern, but there are also fears that some competitions will struggle to get back up and running, particularly those that have had to cancel for the second time.

“It is all the more important that competitions are supported, and competitors and supporters must do all they can to ensure that they are run successfully.

“The wool industry and our competitions are part of a long-standing backbone of the economy and rural life and culture, so let’s get to it.”

Shearing Sports competitions are still scheduled for this summer:

January 8 (Saturday): Duvauchelle Shears Peninsula (shearing only), in Duvauchelle.

Jan 14 (Fri): North Southland Community Shears and National Long Wool Championships (shearing, wool handling), at Lowther Downs, Five Rivers, Lumsden.

January 22 (Saturday): Tapawera Shears (shearing only), in Tapawera.

January 23 (Sunday): Horowhenua A, P and I Show (shearing and wool handling), in Levin.

January 30 (Sunday): Geyserland Agrodome Shears Rotorua (shearing, wool handling), at Rotorua A and P Showgrounds, Ngongotaha.

February 5 (Saturday): Reefton Shears (shearing, blade shearing), Ikamatua.

February 6 (Sunday): Aria Waitangi Day Sports (shearing, wool handling), at Aria.

February 12 (Saturday): Te Puke A and P Show (mowing only), at Te Puke; Otago Shears (shearing, wool handling), at Telford Farm, Balclutha.

February 18-19 (Friday-Saturday): Southern Shears (shearing, wool handling), in Gore.

February 19 (Saturday): North Hokianga A and P Show (shearing only), in Broadwood; Ohura Shears (shearing only), at Ohura A, P, H and I Show, at Niho Niho Showgrounds.

February 20 (Sunday): Counties Shears (mowing only), in Pukekohe.

February 26 (Saturday): Apiti Sports (shearing, wool handling), in Apiti; Kaikoura A and P Show (mowing only), in Kaikoura.

February 27 (Sunday): Pahiatua Shears (shearing only), at Mangaone Valley Rd, Pahiatua.

March 2 (Wed): Wairarapa Pre-Shears Woolhandling (woolens only), at Riverside Farm, Mikimiki.

March 5 (Saturday): Amuri A and P Show (shearing only), Rotherham.

March 12 (Saturday): Kumeu Autumn Shears (shearing only), in Kumeu; Mayfield A and P Show (shear, blade shear), at Mayfield.

March 19 (Saturday): Warkworth A and P Show (shearing only), in Warkworth; Waimarino Shears (shearing only), in Raetihi; Methven Lamb Shears (shearing only), at Methven A and P Show.

March 26 (Saturday): Waitomo Caves Sports (mowing only), Waitomo.

March 27 (Sunday): Flaxbourne A and P Show (shearing only), Ward.

31 March-2 April (Thursday-Saturday): New Zealand Shears (shearing, wool handling), at Te Kuiti.

April 2 (Saturday): Oxford A and P Show (shearing, blade shearing), Oxford.

April 15-16 (Friday – Saturday): Royal Easter Show (shearing only), Auckland.

April 18 (Mon): Mackenzie A&P Show and National Lamb Shearing Championships (shearing, blade shearing, wool handling), Fairlie.