Farmers in Hawke's Bay are gearing up for a rugby-packed weekend, and they're expressing their support the best way they know how – by giving their woolshed a good freshen up.
The big red woolshed has become somewhat of a landmark, an unmissable sight along State Highway 5, between Napier and Taupo.
1News caught up with Delia King, the farm owner and decorator, who was up on the roof, breathing new life into the faded paint ahead of this weekend's big game. Balancing delicately on the roof iron, King explained her mission: "You have to make it pop."
With a steady hand, she was crafting a bold "Go the All Blacks" in crisp white paint, standing tall and proud while eagerly awaiting the opportunity to add the triumphant year "2023" alongside the other historic All Black dates already adorning the wool shed.
This wool shed has seen its fair share of paint jobs, with the tradition dating back to the 2011 Rugby World Cup hosted by New Zealand.
King fondly recalled the origin of this colourful tradition: "Back in 2011, we had plenty of tourists stopping by, running low on gas along the Napier-Taupo road. They were all fervently supporting their country."
"So, I thought, 'They need to know they're in All Blacks country!' That's when I told Murray, 'Let's climb up that wool shed and paint 'Go All Blacks'."
Murray King, her co-conspirator, backed the idea, hoping that it might attract some attention and even lead to some business for the shed.
However, as he humorously put it: "I hoped some businesses might want to see it and use it for advertising and fix our roof, but yeah... that never happened."
“Some people call it graffiti, but I call it national pride,” King said.
What began as a light hearted endeavour has blossomed into a full-fledged celebration of Kiwi sporting excellence.
Over the years, they've expanded their canvas to include nods to the Black Ferns' World Cup and the Warriors' new catch cry “Up the Wahs,” showcasing their unwavering pride in their nation's sports teams.
King, who has spent her fair share of time up on the roof with a paint can, shared her enthusiasm, noting that the process takes longer than expected due to the friendly honks, waves, and photo opportunities provided by passers-by.
"People have taken our wool shed to calendars, postcards, and even English pubs!" she added.
Dating back to around 1910, the wool shed still serves its original purpose for shearing and has weathered various weather events, including floods and cyclones.
Cyclone Gabrielle almost swept the shed away surrounding it in water, the shed now receiving a much-deserved facelift, and locals are brimming with confidence that the All Blacks will come through in the Rugby World Cup final tomorrow morning.
After a 12-year wait, locals believe that tomorrow could finally be the day they get to add a new year to their shed, painting "2023" as a vibrant symbol of their unwavering support for the boys in black.
Rural New Zealand with a sure sign of their faith for the boys in black.
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