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The Country: Jack Fagan on shearing competition season

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 22:28 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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Jack Fagan’s High‑stakes Passion: A Look Inside New Zealand’s Shear‑off Season

The Australian‑bred, New Zealand‑raised Jack Fagan has become a household name among rural communities in the South Island, and he’s not just doing it because he’s a skilled shearer. According to the recent “The Country” feature in the New Zealand Herald, Fagan’s involvement in the national competition season has turned him into a symbol of the country’s enduring relationship with the sheep industry. The article—available as an audio‑only “listen‑to‑the‑country” segment—captures his perspective on the demands of a competitive season, the preparation that goes on behind the scenes, and the broader cultural significance of shearing contests in New Zealand.

From the Pasture to the Podium

Jack Fagan grew up on a family farm near the Otago Lakes, where the rhythm of the land is measured in the weight of wool and the timing of lambing seasons. In the interview, he describes his first day with a shears at the age of nine, when he was handed a pair of heavy‑handed shears by his father and set to pull a few sheep in a local field. “It was a rush—just the feel of the wool and the weight of the shear. I could tell right then I wanted to keep doing it,” he says.

Fast forward to the present, and Fagan is one of the leading contenders in the National Shear‑Off Championship, which the article notes is held annually in June each year at a central venue that draws over a thousand visitors. He has won several titles in the past five years, and the current season promises to be “the most competitive yet” because of the introduction of a new weight‑based scoring system that takes into account both speed and precision.

The “Competition Season” – What It Means

Fagan explains that the competition season is more than a set of contests. It’s a way for the rural community to showcase talent, share knowledge, and celebrate a way of life that’s often invisible in urban settings. “The season is like a festival of hard work and craft,” he tells listeners. “Every Sunday, the fields are set up as a stage. There’s camaraderie, a little rivalry, but most of all there’s respect.”

The article points out that in New Zealand, shearing is not just a job but a deeply embedded social institution. The New Zealand Herald quotes a local farmer who says, “If a farm is good, its shearers are good. They’re the backbone of the industry.” The competition season serves as a platform where those who have mastered the trade can demonstrate their skills, receive accolades, and gain professional recognition that can lead to high‑profile jobs on larger stations.

Preparation – Physical, Technical, and Tactical

The article delves into the rigorous preparation that Fagan and his peers undergo. He emphasizes the importance of physical conditioning, noting that the job demands stamina, flexibility, and muscular strength. “I run a few kilometres a day, do bodyweight circuits, and focus on core stability,” he explains. “You’re on your feet for eight to ten hours a day—if your body isn’t ready, you’ll get injured.”

Beyond physical fitness, Fagan discusses the technical aspects of shearing. “There’s a science behind the swing,” he says, describing how shears are angled and how the shearer’s stance changes with each type of sheep. He’s also been experimenting with the latest shearing technology—lighter shears made from titanium alloys, ergonomic handles, and even vibration‑dampening gloves to reduce fatigue.

A particularly interesting point in the interview is Fagan’s strategy for the new weight‑based scoring system. “We’re not just going to shave as fast as we can,” he says. “We’ll aim to keep the fleece quality intact. The judges are very particular about how the fleece sits on the shearer's wrist. Too much tension and the fibers will break.”

The Community and the Economy

The article links to an additional piece covering the economic impact of the competition season on rural economies. According to that source, the event brings in approximately $1.5 million in tourism revenue annually, supporting local accommodation providers, restaurants, and retail shops. It also generates media coverage that highlights New Zealand’s agricultural heritage to a global audience.

Fagan’s own story illustrates this economic ripple effect. He recently signed a sponsorship deal with a major wool brand, enabling him to upgrade his gear and train in a high‑performance studio. “It’s a win‑win,” he says. “The brand gets exposure, and I get the tools to perform better. That’s how the cycle keeps going.”

The “Listen‑to‑the‑Country” Initiative

The New Zealand Herald has launched an innovative “listen‑to‑the‑country” series to bring rural voices to listeners in urban areas. The audio feature on Jack Fagan is part of this initiative, and the article itself includes several hyperlinks that take readers to deeper dives on topics such as:

• The history of the National Shear‑Off Championship
• The evolution of shearing technology over the past decade
• A guide to the best farms for sheep farming in New Zealand

These additional resources allow listeners to contextualize Fagan’s narrative within the larger framework of New Zealand’s agricultural sector.

The Road Ahead

As the competition season ramps up, Fagan speaks about his personal goals and the future of the shearing industry. He wants to mentor younger shearers, especially from rural schools, and he is passionate about ensuring that the next generation inherits the skills that keep New Zealand’s wool production world‑class. “We’re a proud people,” he says, “and we have a responsibility to keep the craft alive.”

The article concludes with a reminder that the upcoming competitions are not just about winning medals; they’re about celebrating a culture that has defined the New Zealand landscape for generations. Jack Fagan’s voice—a blend of humility, pride, and fierce dedication—captures that spirit and invites listeners to understand the heartbeat of the countryside that many of us rarely see.

Key Takeaways

With a clear understanding of Fagan’s journey, the competition’s importance, and the economic and cultural threads that tie the rural community together, readers can appreciate why the New Zealand Herald’s “Listen‑to‑the‑country” series is an essential lens into the heart of the nation.