The Shearing Shed is a very small building just a few hundred yards from the Waitomo Caves Ticket Center. We almost passed it by and then decided we may as well have a look. The store has two rooms, the first being a smaller room selling chocolates and tourist items. The main room sells high quality, hand woven sweaters and other items locally produced. The most expensive items are those which include the fur of the Angora Rabbit.We were fortunate that on the day we were there they were shearing a rabbit. Before the shearing the owner was showing off the rabbit and allowing customers to pet it. The fur is incredibly thick yet very light. She explained the rabbits have to be sheared every four months or they will die from the heat caused by their coats.
The shearing was very interesting. We had seen sheep sheared and that was very simple to do as the sheep really didn't seem to mind. The rabbit definitely wasn't happy about it. It fights so hard that in order to shear it without hurting it (or the shearer) they have to stretch it out and tie its front and back legs to something that looks like you would use to barbeque the rabbit. Then it is sheared while held stationery in that position. After the shearing the rabbit appeared to regain its good humor indicating the process really didn't hurt.