Te Kūiti is recognised as the sheep shearing capital of the world and holds the annual New Zealand National Shearing Championships.

In celebration of this, Te Kūiti’s main street hosts this 6-metre-tall statue of a shearer.

Te Kūiti is the home to David Fagan who has won the Golden Shears 15 times, the New Zealand open title 16 times, and the world championship five times.