Take a train to catch a sheep

Trains have been chartered from Auckland and Palmerston North for the first time to journey to Te Kuiti for the Scanda New Zealand Shears “Running of the Sheep” event being held on Saturday, April 4.

In time for the largest urban sheep run in the world, the two trains will converge on Te Kuiti around midday and are expected to add around another 800 spectators to the thousands of visitors who already flock to Te Kuiti to experience the woolly mayhem.

This iconic event involves more than six truckloads of sheep being released for a one-kilometre headlong dash down Te Kuiti’s main street. While more than 2000 sheep will make the dash - the exact number is a closely guarded secret due to the collection of prizes to be won for guessing the right number.

Organised by the Railway Enthusiasts Society, the “Northern Musterer” will depart Auckland’s Strand Railway Station at 8.25am, stop at selected suburban stations en route and arrive in Te Kuiti at approximately 12.30pm in time for the stalls, main entertainment acts – as well as the Scanda New Zealand Shears “Running of the Sheep” event. It will depart Te Kuiti at 4.30pm and arrive back at Auckland Strand around 8.15pm.

Meanwhile, the “Southern Shearer” will depart Palmerston North railway station at 6.25am arriving in Te Kuiti at 12.20pm – departing again at 3.45pm to arrive back at 10.05pm.

Both trains take in spectacular New Zealand scenery on their journey on the main trunk line. For the Southern Shearer this will include the Central Plateau mountains and the world-famous Raurimu Spiral.

Tickets for the Northern Musterer return excursion are priced at $99 per person, while the Southern Shearer is $119 per person. Meals onboard and additional excursions to Waitomo’s attractions can also be booked through the Society.

And Te Kuiti’s historic train station, recently refurbished for the 100-year celebration of the Main Truck Line, is ready to welcome the train-loving visitors says the Waitomo District Council’s event coordinator, Debie Glover.

“We’re really thrilled to see more formal travel packages for visitors wanting to experience the Scanda New Zealand Shears “Running of the Sheep” event,” says Debie.

“We’re now in our fifth year – and each year more visitors come as they hear about this crazy event celebrating our sheep shearing culture.”

In the heart of the Waikato, Te Kuiti is the self-proclaimed Sheep Shearing Capital of the World. The Scanda New Zealand Shears “Running of the Sheep” event is part of the three-day New Zealand Shearing Championships featuring the top shearers from New Zealand – as well as from Australia and far afield as the United Kingdom.