Latest News Blade Shearer Wanted Organisers of next month’s Waitangi Day Origins Festival are on the look-out for a shearer.  Not just any shearer, but one with a handle on the past.  Festival spokesman Edwin Perry said they specifically require a ‘blade shearer’ because the Wairarapa Spinners and Weavers hoped to be able to demonstrate their art on the day.  “We’re going to have a bit of knitting going on. We’ve got the sheep but need a blade shearer to remove the wool so it can be spun and knitted up on the day,” he said.  Efforts to find a blade shearer have so far been unsuccessful and Mr Perry said he hoped a public appeal would ‘bring someone out of the woodwork’.  The 2009 Waitangi Day Origins Festival will be the third held at Queen Elizabeth Park.  This one will again take place on the oval, where it was moved to last year after proving too big an event for the green space beside KidsOwn Park.  Around 5,000 visited the festival last year, enjoying hangi and other cultural foods – as well as entertainment from around the world.  A big hit were the Wairarapa Filipino Society dance troupe.  Also popular were Tai Kura performers and the Indian dancers.  “We’re still looking for cultural acts on the day. We’ve got a great line up of bands, a bit of reggae and easy listening too, plus some belly dancers” Mr Perry said.  To get involved on the day by bringing along your food (to sell not for profit but to cover costs only), culture (displays, photos and clothing) or performance: contact festival co-ordinator Jonathan Hooker on (06) 377 1572 or txt/call 0274 486 645.  You can also email origins@mstn.govt.nz. 14 January 2009