A Northland shearer and contender for this month's Golden Shears competition has dedicated a weekend win to his young son who died in December.
Toa Henderson emerged as a new northern Golden Shears open shearing final hope with the emotional win and two major placings in the weekend.
The 29-year-old from Kaiwaka won the Apiti Sports Shears Open final on Saturday.
He was placed fourth at Friday's Taumarunui Shears and third on Sunday at the Pahiatua Shears, events both won by defending multiple Golden Shears champion and Hawke's Bay shearer Rowland Smith.
Henderson dedicated the Apiti win to his son Tahi, who died aged 18 months, after he was struck by a vehicle in Southland shearing town Mataura on December 21.
He said he had been initially unable to shear after the death of his son, but had been able to get back into it with the support of his partner, Phoebe.
The 60th annual Golden Shears competition runs March 4-7 in Masterton.
