The long blow brings world to NZ

A record 32 countries will attend next month's World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Invercargill, and you could be there to see the fleece fly.

Be in to win return airfares for two, four nights' accommodation, five days' car rental, event tickets and two Turbo passes to Bill Richardson Transport World and Classic Motorcycle Mecca in Invercargill.

For the first time in its 40-year history the championships are to be held in the South Island, with Invercargill hosting the 2017 Championships at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill from February 8 to 11.

A six-strong New Zealand team, headlined by veteran Johnny Kirkpatrick and hometown hero Nathan Stratford will take on competitors from 32 countries.

Organising committee chairman Tom Wilson said it was unheard of to get so many attending the champs on this side of the world.

"We've put in a lot of hard work to get these countries to come to New Zealand ... We told them we'd look after them and would give them training sessions over here, which we are going to do. That was a big drawcard for them," he said.

Mr Wilson also said the large number of lead-in events over the next month had played a key role in the strong international attendance.

"We've got so many competitions in the leadup to the event which gives the teams three or four weeks' practice before they have to perform on the world stage. It started with Tauranga and Duvauchelle (Banks Peninsula) last weekend and then there's at least one competition every weekend right through to the champs."