New television programme focuses on Dannevirke business

The Shear Bro documentary crew following the Mullins family during the shearing at this year's Dannevirke and Tararua Districts A&P Show

Dannevirke's Paewai Mullins Shearing business is in the spotlight as the family feature in Shear Bro which premiers on Maori Television on Tuesday.

Shear Bro follows the family business, with Aria and Tuma Mullins as they run their fourth-generation whānau shearing business with support from their parents Mavis and Koro Mullins.

Mavis and Koro have run Paewai Mullins Shearing in Dannevirke for more than 40 years, but have handed over to daughter Aria, who is managing director, with older brother Tuma and younger brother Punga also involved.

Mavis and Koro Mullins in action during the shearing last Friday in Dannevirke.

Aria told the Dannevirke News she found the focus on her a "little daunting."

"I felt a bit awkward, but the film crew were cool and a great bunch," she said.

"Filming took place at a pretty full on time of the year and I said I wanted the focus on our people and staff."

Dannevirke's Punga Mullins, owner of the Catching Pen Cafe, took to the boards during the Dannevirke and Tararua Districts A&P Show in February.

However, Aria did admit Shear Bro would shine the spotlight on the industry and show people what opportunities there are in the shearing industry.

"If people have the right attitude and are looking for employment, this could be for them," she said.

"And at the moment the contracting association is promoting the living wage which is exciting. Hopefully it will attract young people into this industry because there is a shortage of staff."

Aria said she hopes Shear Bro will lift the profile of the shearing and wool industries.

Dannevirke's Tuma Mullins in action at the Dannevirke A&P Show.

"I have a passion for this industry and you've got to love what you do and have your heart in the right place," she said.

And with crossbreed wool prices lifting, Aria said it's good news for farmers.

"Wool is an amazing product, but it's battling cheaper synthetic substitutes. Yes, wool products are expensive, but the fibre is amazing quality."

At the moment Paewai Mullins Shearing is employing between 40 and 50 staff.

"It's a massive juggling act between organising staff and the weather and I have plenty of anxious moments," Aria said.

"But we work with a great bunch of farmers."

Aria sets the strategic vision for the business and manages all the logistics from staff, HR, farmer and stakeholder relationships, vehicles and equipment.

By providing in-shed trainers, she also ensures the staff they employ have the opportunity to up-skill.

Passion for our primary industries, Aria Mullins, right, with Pippa Dixon of the Primary ITO explaining the benefits of training in the primary sector at a Dannevirke High School careers expo.

"People are very important to the business. I am extremely passionate about people and driving positive change within the industry. We aim to provide a good professional service built on an ethos that builds people and creates great teams," she said.

"This is a generational business so ensuring that it is sustainable and continues to be in a good place for whoever comes next. My mum and dad continue to be a huge support to me and really are my 'Go To' people."

Mavis and Koro are highly respected business, governance and iwi leaders and Mavis was only the second Maori woman to be inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

In May, Mavis, the patron of the Agri-Women's Development Trust (AWDT), stepped up to take on the role of interim chairwoman to help guide the organisation that has delivered leadership, governance and business development to more than 2500 primary sector women.

Earlier this year she was unanimously elected deputy chairwoman of the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union.

She had been an independent director since June last year, when she became the first female to be appointed to the board.

And while brothers Punga, owner of Dannevirke's Catching Pen Cafe, and Tuma are excited about Shear Bro and will be heading to the Dannevirke Services and Citizens Club on Tuesday night to watch the show, Aria probably won't see the premiere.

"I'll probably be working," she said.