Kiwi shearer aims for the top
Stacey Te Huia is a shearer with world records under his belt and in an upcoming episode of Country Calendar, he’s looking to add more. Filmed before the Covid-19 virus lockdown, Te Huia’s episode follows his attempt to shear the most merino wethers in nine hours.
But the world has changed rapidly since Te Huia took on the task of beating the standing record of 418 sheep, which has been held by Grant Smith for 20 years.
Setting records is not important right now. And given current events, Te Huia doesn’t know when he’ll get the chance to shear competitively again.
‘‘It puts things into perspective,’’ he says. ‘‘It’s all about what’s really important.
Those things just don’t matter.’’
He already has plenty of accolades to his name. He holds the record for nine-hour merino ewes and the nine-hour twostand record for strong-wool ewes with Sam Welch.
Shearing is considered an essential business but the virus has had a major impact on the profession. Te Huia lives in Alexandra but has worked all over New Zealand and the world.
He says Europe will struggle without New Zealand shearers this season and that Kiwi shearers are ‘‘meant to be in Italy now’’.
Te Huia’s wife Atiria is a wool handler and she often works alongside her husband. Both come from shearing families. ‘‘Mum probably gave birth in the wool shed,’’ jokes Te Huia.
Shearing can be gruelling on the body but Te Huia says that with training and conditioning, he can manage the aches and pains. ‘‘The human body is pretty amazing. You can put it through all sorts of stuff and it will adapt.
‘‘You’ve just got to keep looking after yourself, like a rugby player, I suppose.
‘‘I’ve spent so much money on physios, chiropractors, massages, it’s not funny. But it’s what keeps the body going.’’
But it’s not just about being in peak physical condition, you have to be in the right mindset to work through so many sheep in a set period of time.
‘‘I just keep the mind calm and focus on the next section of the sheep. When you’re calm you can do stuff a lot easier.’’ But that doesn’t stop the sheep from acting the goat. ‘‘They love trying to give you a hiding,’’ he laughs. ‘‘They love trying to kick your nose off your face.’’
Country Calendar, TVNZ 1, Sunday, April 26