New Zealand has squared the 2025–2026 transtasman series with a commanding win over Australia in the woolhandling test match at the 2026 Otago Shears in South Otago.
The test, held at Carterhope Estate in Te Houka on Friday, saw the New Zealand pairing of Joel Henare and Ngaio Hanson defeat Australians Alexander Schoff and Racheal Hutchison by more than 75 points.
It was the 51st transtasman woolhandling test since the annual home-and-away series began in 1998, with New Zealand now holding 38 wins. Australia had taken the first leg of the series at the Australian National Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Jamestown, South Australia, in October.
Golden Shears champion Joel Henare continued to build on an already remarkable international career. The 34-year-old extended his record as the most successful individual in transtasman history, marking his 16th appearance and 14th win.
For Australian veteran Racheal Hutchison, it was her 13th appearance and ninth win, though her first alongside Schoff, who was contesting his fifth consecutive transtasman test.
Henare’s weekend success didn’t stop there. He also secured his 14th New Zealand Woolhandler of the Year title, an encouraging result as he prepares to chase a third world individual title at the 2026 Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Masterton from March 4 to 7.
The Otago victory marked the 149th Open woolhandling win of Henare’s career, which began in Waipukurau in 2006.
In the Open woolhandling final, Henare took top honours ahead of defending champion Pagan Rimene, of Alexandra, with Alexander Schoff third.
The Senior woolhandling title went to Tre Ratana Sciascia of Taihape, while Talia Nelson of Alexandra claimed the Junior final.
On the shearing boards, Roxburgh shearer Leon Samuels claimed the Open title, edging out Northland’s Toa Henderson in a tight contest over 20 sheep. Henderson posted the fastest time of 16 minutes and 0.08 seconds, but Samuels’ superior quality points secured victory by almost two points.
Justin Meikle, of Oamaru, was third, while Invercargill’s Nathan Stratford recorded the best quality points.
The Otago Open final marked the first leg of an unofficial grand slam of four Open titles across consecutive weekends, including the Southern Shears in Gore, the Pahiatua Shears, and the Golden Shears in Masterton. Only a handful of shearers in history have completed the feat.
In other divisions:
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Dre Roberts of Mataura dominated the Senior shearing final.
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Tye Meikle continued his impressive season with his ninth Intermediate win in 11 finals.
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Reuben Wilkinson of Wyndham narrowly claimed the Junior final.
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Blake Sollitt of Whanganui took out the Novice title.
Friday’s transtasman woolhandling test was the second of five international fixtures for New Zealand teams in the lead-up to the Golden Shears World Championships next month.
New Zealand earlier defeated Wales at Aria on Waitangi Day in the first of three Wools of New Zealand shearing tests.
Next weekend features a transtasman shearing test at the 60th anniversary Southern Shears in Gore, with further New Zealand versus Wales tests scheduled in Pukekohe and Taumarunui later in February.
The Otago Shears attracted 150 entries, including 91 shearers and 59 woolhandlers, underscoring the strength and depth of the shearing sports community heading into the world championships.
For New Zealand’s woolhandlers, the latest transtasman result provides timely momentum – and payback – ahead of a busy international calendar.
