‘Wools’ run out of town
Dwindling crowds have forced the Running of the Wools out of Feilding.
The Manawatu¯ town has heralded the start of the Hilux New Zealand Rural Games since its move to the region two years ago, with an array of events, including the Running of the Wools.
The event involved a mob of the area’s finest woolly residents making their way down the barrier-lined streets from the saleyards to the clock tower in Manchester Square and back.
Manawatu¯ mayor Helen Worboys said organisers lost support from the town’s business community, which felt there wasn’t enough benefit given the long period of disruption to traffic flows on what is typically Feilding’s busiest day of the week – Friday’s stock sale.
A request for an additional $10,000 of ratepayer funding was also denied, Worboys said.
Council staff met with organisers, sponsors and Feilding and District Promotion representatives, who agreed the event would be better supported as part of the weekend’s games in Palmerston North.
Worboys said the council would continue to promote the rural games to educate urban residents and visitors about rural life.
Feilding and District Promotion chairman Jason Smith said foot traffic at the event wasn’t converted to retail spend, leaving business owners frustrated.
With the town’s central roads closed for a large part of the day, retailers reported the event wasn’t worth the investment.
‘‘If there isn’t the will in the business community, we have to ask ourselves whether or not it’s worth having.’’
New Zealand Rural Games Trust chairwoman Margaret Kouvelis said the event began in Queenstown in 2014 to connect rural and urban communities.
It will now start near the eastern corner of The Square, opposite Paper Plus, and run towards the Main St roundabout, where sheep will be turned into The Square and make their way down to Bethany’s restaurant.
‘‘It used to be a common sight to see stock on the road being moved from paddock to paddock, and it is still in many parts of the country. However, with increasing numbers of New Zealanders living in cities, fewer Kiwis gave experienced it,’’ Kouvelis said.
Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said more than 50,000 people came along to this year’s rural games.
‘‘These events showcase our heritage as a hub for agribusiness and really bring our communities together.’’