Much loved hermit is about to baa all

Shrek the Sheep on the cover of his biography. Photo / Supplied.

He became as famous as Mr Ed the talking horse, as loved as the puppet Lamb Chop and as adept at peering coyly from beneath his fringe as Princess Diana. Lisa Bradley caught up with Shrek the Sheep, the subject of a new biography out this week.

Shrek the Sheep is as much a part of Kiwiana as, well, roast lamb and mint sauce.

He's the merino that was plucked from a six-year exile in the South Island High Country after a chance encounter with a mustering team who sheared him into fame, at times pulling in more money for a public appearance than an All Black.

Since shedding 27kg of wool under the world's gaze in 2004, the woolly wether has travelled the country as a Cure Kids ambassador, raising more than $150,000 for the charity, and has rubbed shoulders with Kiwi celebrities.

You can still catch Shrek at the odd public appearance with owner John Perriam.

But, nearing 15 and down to four teeth, the ram is now living happily in retirement in a luxury shed at Bendigo Station in Central Otago.

The Herald on Sunday caught up with the living legend this week - on the eve of the publication of his biography, Shrek: The Story of a Kiwi Icon - to find out how he coped with his hermit-to-hero transformation.

HoS: How's it going in the High Country?

Shrek: A bit nippy.

You caught the world's attention when you were shorn live on television. Media from as far away as Japan, England and the United States were vying for the story. It was mad.

Baa-rking!

So, what do you think made you so famous?

I don't know ... I guess people wanted something to smile about, something other than wars and crime on the news. And I was happy to oblige.

Since then you've travelled New Zealand in cars, planes and helicopters as well as gone to the races and visited Eden Park and the Sky Tower. You've even been shorn on an iceberg off the east coast of the South Island.

The iceberg was amazing. I wore hoof crampons. Snazzy.

You've met a lot of famous people. Care to name drop?

Well, I enjoyed meeting former prime minister Helen Clark in 2004. I was up counting humans all night before meeting her, but she's all right, is Helen ... raised on a farm, like me.

Anybody else?

Plenty, but basically it's about the kids.

The kids do go wild.

Yep. Like I'm Justin Bieber. Only with better hair.

How are you wearing your fleece these days?

Well, the'fro pulled the punters but I now have a bit of an Elvis quiff ... love me tenderloin, love me do. I'd like to have it straightened but you've got to work with what you're given.

Tell us about your years in isolation?

I was happy there, in my cave. Wool blind. It gives a ram time to think. And, frankly, I think it made me the merino I am today.

Explain?

I appreciate people now. I really do. I enjoy giving back. Giving is living. And, when I got out of my ram cave, my life exploded. In a good way.

People say you're a dag.

Oh, I've had a few.

Pardon?

Dags.

Oh. What about girlfriends? You must have your pick of the flock.

All I'll say is it's a hard road finding the perfect ewe.

Where do you find your inspiration?

They say I'm up there with Opo the dolphin but I discovered on a crayfishing trip that I'm not into water. I don't really like dogs, either - the sods nip at your hooves - but I did admire the "bugger dog", even though he had a mouth on him.

Did you hear about Breakfast presenter Paul Henry?

I've been living a bit of a rock and roll lifestyle in recent years so I haven't caught daytime television in a while ... Paul who?

What about The Mad Butcher?

Oh, yes, This Is Your Life. I'm happy for him. Sure. We're in the same game, he and I, tirelessly raising money for charity. But, personally, I don't trust him. There have been plenty from around here who have been "off to see The Mad Butcher" and none have returned. Not one.

You haven't been without critics, Shrek, folk who couldn't see what all the fuss was about.

I challenge the knockers to find another as unique as me among the 30-odd million sheep grazing New Zealand. Or any merino with a biography. Mine's out this week, by the way.

A biography?

Yes, it's time to look back on my life. I'm happy with my lot. Peter Jackson hasn't called but that's okay. Today it's about the simple pleasures - catching the eye of the odd passing ewe and enjoying the scenery of this mighty land of ours.

Well, that's it. Thanks Shrek.

No, thank ewe ... and don't forget to buy the book. It's for a good cause.

- Shrek: The Story of a Kiwi Icon, by John Perriam (Random House, $45).