Shear Discovery New Zealand has been created by the Shear History Trust to preserve the unique rural social culture and heritage of the shearing industry and the heritage of the wool industry in New Zealand. Shear Discovery New Zealand celebrates a rich social heritage formed ‘off the sheep’s back.

The centre is located in Masterton, home of the ‘Golden Shears’. For more than forty years the Wairarapa, and in particular Masterton, has been synonymous with the world’s premier sheep shearing event, the International Golden Shears. Golden Shears Masterton is simply the global benchmark for shearing and wool competitions. Golden Shears annually attracts the best in the world of wool and shearing to the heart of the Wairarapa.

In providing the land for Shear Discovery New Zealand, project partner the Masterton District Council values the rich cultures rising from its a early settler roots. Wairarapa Visitor Trail Situated on the Martinborough to Mount Bruce (National Wildlife Centre) Visitor Trail, Masterton is the ideal location for Shear Discovery New Zealand. Shear Discovery shares co-location with ‘Aratoi’ (the Art and History museum) and the Jubilee Fire Engine Exhibition. The Dixon Street site provides opportunities for co-operation and additional visitor attraction.

A thoroughly modern museum Shear Discovery New Zealand celebrates shearing and the wool industry. According to shearing industry historian John Martin, it is a novel project of national significance capturing our ‘cultural heritage’.

This capture is two fold:

Through exhibition Shear Discovery New Zealand translates to visitors:

Shear Discovery New Zealand interprets that lifestyle to an increasingly urban population. Shear Discovery will translate, interpret, educate and inform visitors of a uniquely New Zealand culture.