You can’t really talk about New Zealand without mentioning sheep, and this festival is where all the sheep, and all those whose lives revolve around them, get together for a competition and a bit of a knees-up. For the rest of us, who may have less affection for these fluffy creatures, you can still enjoy this opportunity to join in a celebration of all things woolly, and watch the sheep get naked! In all seriousness, the New Zealanders take great pride in the traditions of sheep shearing and wool handling, and this festival reveres all those who dedicate their lives to these noble professions. In this competition speed and efficiency are of utmost importance – things can get quite heated, and winning is a real honour.