Candy flocks baffle tourists

Photo / Herald on Sunday

Staff at a popular attraction north of Auckland have been pulling the wool over tourists' eyes with a Christmas sheep stunt.

These fluorescent pink sheep appeared in the front paddock of Sheepworld, beside State Highway One near Warkworth, a few days ago - and tourists have been flocking to get the lowdown.

"They've been asking if that's their natural colour," said owner John Collyer. "They said: 'What breed are they?' We just told them people saw a spaceship land there and in the morning the sheep were pink."

Collyer said vegetable-based dye was used to achieve the "festive" hue and it would eventually wash out.

"The sheep don't seem to mind at all. It certainly hasn't changed their behaviour. But the reaction from people has been amazing."