Hunterville’s biggest event returns for 20th birthday

What started as a yarn at the pub between a couple of local folk has developed into a fun-filled rural event that attracts up to 5000 visitors every year.

Tony Theed, Richard Horrocks and Thomas Powell suggested an event like the Cardrona Shepherds run in the South Island, but it was quickly pointed out Hunterville didn’t have a mountain.

It did have a steep hill though. And so the Hunterville Huntaway Festival was born. Since then, the country-styled event has continued to grow into the only one of its kind in the North Island.

The festival, a rural extravaganza featuring the iconic shepherd’s shemozzle, returns on October 28.

The day features a children’s shemozzle, teen’s shemozzle, shepherd’s shemozzle and a shearing competition that typifies rural New Zealand.

Rangitı¯kei’s signature event, the Hunterville Huntaway Festival’s coverage has gained national acclaim, making for a thriving community.

With a population of just over 500, it is certainly Hunterville’s biggest day of the year.

The event’s trademark race – the shepherd’s shemozzle – is completed by farmers with their dogs and includes obstacles such as a shower dip, a food table that puts Fear Factor to shame and a trough with eels that requires shepherds to pick out an apple with their teeth.

Last year’s winner Nick Tipling has entered the shepherds shemozzle since 2007. He’ll be back.

The 29-year-old will be partnered by Nugget, his 3-year-old huntaway.

‘‘If you don’t keep up in that front bunch, you’re pretty much out. They put out some pretty rough tucker.’’