The Golden Shears is the world championship of competitive sheep shearing, held every March at the War Memorial Stadium in central Masterton. It has run since 1961 and is the most prestigious event of its kind anywhere in the world; the top New Zealand, Australian, Welsh and English shearers compete head-to-head over four days of qualifying rounds and finals.
The event is much more than the shearing itself. There are competitions in wool handling, wool pressing, and machine and blade shearing, plus a trade show of farming equipment and a packed schedule of evening entertainment. It is one of the few times of year Masterton fills up — book accommodation months ahead. Tickets are sold individually for each session.