Te Ahi Kaa mo 17 o Poututerangi (March) 2013 - a podcast by RNZ

New Zealand's economy is based on primary industry and Maori have always been at its forefront. Whether it's been as loggers in the forestry or shearers in the shearing shed. In homage to the many Maori shearers and shearing whanau Justine Murray attends the Golden Shears Competition held in Masterton experiencing Shearing 101. Mavis Mullins heads a shearing dynasty - Paewai Mullins Shearing Ltd alongside her husband Koro. She describes how Shearing has led to other opportunities within the business world. At 85 years old Tinirau Owen Akuira still has a keen appreciation for shearing in the Wairarapa, hardly surprising given he started as a learner shearer in 1946. Since then he's noticed a change in the physique, demeanour and demographic within the industry. Akuira chats about those aspects all the while taking in the Golden Shears action from the sidelines. According to Josie Reiri-Rongonui wool handling is an as intensive and necessary part of the shearing process and nowadays is a highly transferable skill on international boards. So, clearing the wool of some 3000 sheep during the three day competition is just another day in the office. Judging the quality of the shear is wool handling Judge Peter Lange and wool pressers, Brian Drysdale and Bruce Pankhurst demonstrate their craft. From the archives of Nga taonga Korero, host of Te Puna Wai Korero series Selwyn Murupaenga interviews George Potae a South Island based Shearing Contractor who won the Golden Shears in 1969. A classic shearing waiata What a Dopey Gang composed by Tuini Ngawai features. This week's whakatauki is explained by Tiare Teinakore no Ngati Haua, Aitutaki.

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