Short answer: Golden Shears 2027 runs from Thursday 4 March to Saturday 6 March 2027 in Masterton, in the Wairarapa region north-east of Wellington. It is New Zealand's best-known shearing, woolhandling and wool pressing competition, first held in 1961. Explera DMC New Zealand plans rooms, transfers and farm visits for agricultural and study groups around Golden Shears 2027.
This briefing is for travel agents and tour operators with farming, agricultural study and special-interest groups in New Zealand in early March 2027. Golden Shears is a working competition, not a show staged for visitors, which is what makes it worth a day in a programme.
What do we know about Golden Shears 2027?
- The dates. Thursday 4 March to Saturday 6 March 2027, as listed by the organiser.
- The place. Masterton, the main town of the Wairarapa. The 2026 championships were held in Masterton's War Memorial Stadium, with some events in a marquee across the road in Queen Elizabeth Park. We confirm the 2027 venue layout before we quote.
- The history. The organiser says the competition was conceived in 1960 and first held in 1961.
- The competitions. Shearing runs from Novice to Open grade, with Young Farmer events and international tests. Woolhandling has four grades, and wool pressing has been a championship since 1986.
- Tickets and the programme. Spectator tickets are sold through Eventfinda, and the programme, draw and live stream are on the organiser's results site. Ticket prices for 2027 were not published when we checked.
Why it suits agricultural and study groups
- Skill on show. Shearers, woolhandlers and pressers compete in front of a crowd, so visitors see how a woolshed team works at full speed.
- Grades through to finals. Heats run across the three days and lead to the Open final, so a group can choose a day that fits the wider itinerary.
- Wool and farming. A day at Golden Shears pairs well with a farm visit in the Wairarapa, where groups can see sheep farming on the land.
What should agents plan for?
- Rooms. Masterton is a small town, and competitors and supporters travel in for the event. We hold rooms early in Masterton, Carterton, Greytown and Martinborough, or plan a stay in Wellington.
- Transport. Masterton is reached by road from Wellington or by the Wairarapa rail line, which ends there. For groups we plan a private coach so the day can include a farm visit.
- Seating. We confirm seating and access for the session a group wants before we quote, and check access for any client with limited mobility.
- The wider trip. The Wairarapa adds Martinborough's cellar doors, the seal colony at Cape Palliser and Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We are the Wairarapa DMC and the Wellington DMC for travel agents and tour operators. We plan agricultural and technical study tours, group tours and coach and private transfers. Tickets are bought through the organiser's channels. See also our February and March 2027 events briefing and our Wellington briefing.
FAQ
When is Golden Shears 2027? Thursday 4 March to Saturday 6 March 2027, in Masterton in the Wairarapa.
What is Golden Shears? A national shearing, woolhandling and wool pressing competition, held in Masterton since 1961.
Where in Masterton is it held? The 2026 event was at the War Memorial Stadium, with some events in a marquee in Queen Elizabeth Park. We confirm the 2027 layout before quoting.
How do groups buy tickets? Spectator tickets are sold through Eventfinda. Prices for 2027 were not published when we checked.
Does Explera DMC New Zealand sell Golden Shears tickets? No. We plan rooms, transport and farm visits around tickets bought through the organiser.
Sources
- Golden Shears, Golden Shears International Shearing Championships, checked 30 October 2026
- About Golden Shears, Golden Shears, checked 30 October 2026
- Media releases 2026, Golden Shears, checked 30 October 2026
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
