Janet Smith

Stencil: A1477

My interest in wool started at a relatively young age growing up on a merino/half bred property in
the Ida Valley in Central Otago.
I started working as a wool handler as a way to help pay my way through university, and it soon
become addictive! I couldn’t wait to get home and back into the shearing shed. I enjoyed the hard
physical work as well as the fun that we had.
After finishing a degree in Social Work and working as a Residential Social Worker for a few years,
I had the opportunity to start farming with my stepfather, but before going home I went to Lincoln
and did the Wool Cert Course.
Over the next few years, I went classing throughout Central Otago over the pre-lamb season. I was
determined to get an “A” stencil, which I achieved.
I was introduced to judging of wool handling at the NZ Merino Shears in Alexandra and over the
years have enjoyed judging throughout New Zealand and was privileged to be allowed to judge
overseas with the New Zealand team.
I am now working on my family farm with my husband and grown up son, as well as working part
time as a wool representative for Hayden and Rachael Hickey at W S Hickey and Son in Omakau.
I feel incredibly lucky to live and work in an area that grows incredible Crossbred wool through to
the finest of Merino wool