Three brothers from Northland have achieved a possible first in qualifying for the final stage of one of the big events at the Golden Shears in Masterton.
Doug, Matt and Rowland Smith from Ruawai, who shear mainly in Hawke's Bay, are among the 12 who will line up for the PGG Wrightson national shearing final on Saturday.
It was a close call for Doug Smith who just scraped through in the last of five qualifying rounds at Pahiatua on Sunday.
It is thought to be the first time three brothers have reached the finals in the 40 years of the competition.
More than 600 shearers and wool handlers will compete in the Golden Shears and world championships which will run in tandem over the next four days in Masterton.
