Female Shearers Break New Ground with Historic Record

A group of female shearers has made history by setting the first official women’s record for eight hours of strongwool lamb shearing at Melrose Station, located near Owaka, New Zealand. On January 31, 2024, Rose Lewis, Ariana ‘Missy’ Te Whata, Te Atakura Crawford, and Pagan Rimene achieved a remarkable total of 1,988 lambs sheared, marking a significant milestone in a sport traditionally dominated by men.

Te Atakura Crawford, hailing from Gisborne, led the group with an impressive tally of 530 lambs, averaging 54.34 seconds per lamb, a feat that underscores her exceptional skill. Crawford previously made headlines in 2013 when she won the New Zealand Merino Shears senior title, triumphing over an all-male field.

Te Whata, who grew up in Mossburn, Southland, and is related to two world record holders, contributed 504 lambs to the team’s total. Pagan Rimene, a master woolhandler and the 2019 world teams woolhandling champion, sheared 481 lambs. Completing the team was Rose Lewis, originally from Manutuke on the East Coast and now residing in Dubbo, New South Wales. Lewis, a fifth-generation shearer, managed to shear 423 lambs, showcasing her resilience after a serious health challenge.

Lewis faced a significant hurdle in her training when she was hospitalized five months prior with Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS). Despite the setback, she persevered and trained for the record attempt. “It was overwhelming and exciting to be part of the record-setting team,” she said. “My father and his three brothers are in the world record book, so it was cool to be the first Lewis female to get in there and make my family proud.”

The achievement not only highlights the capabilities of female shearers but also aims to inspire future generations. Referee Neil Fagan noted that more women are entering the shearing industry and emphasized the importance of this record as a motivational benchmark for aspiring shearers. “It’s just great to see those four girls getting out there and setting a record, inspiring another four girls to have a go one day,” he stated. “They’ve got a target to beat now, which is not an easy target, but it’s something for them to aspire to.”

The record-setting event is part of a larger initiative this summer, with another multi-stand shearing record attempt scheduled for January 31, 2024. At Waihelo Station, located in Moa Flat, west Otago, Shane Ratima, Paerata Abraham, and Leon Samuels will compete to break the three-stand, eight-hour strongwool lambs record. The current record of 1,976 was established by Coel L’Huillier, Kaleb Foote, and Daniel Langlands in 2019 at Puketiti Station, near Piopio.

The recent achievements of these female shearers not only break new ground in the sport but also pave the way for greater inclusion and recognition of women in shearing. As they continue to push boundaries, they exemplify the spirit of resilience and ambition within the industry, motivating others to follow in their footsteps.