KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's most famous sheep Shrek has retired from public life.
The sheep, who made international headlines when his outlaw status was uncovered in 2004, was yesterday shorn for the third and final time time in front of about 150 people at Auckland's Sky Tower.
All the money raised goes to Cure Kids, funding medical research into life-threatening illnesses affecting children.
Shrek has raised more than $130,000 for the charity since he was discovered during a Bendigo Station muster in April 2004 after spending six years roaming Central Otago hills.
His owner John Perriam said Shrek had grown accustomed to his celebrity status, but had "earned a break".
"He has more air points than most New Zealanders, but we think it is time he calls it a day and stays at home," he told the Otago Daily Times.
For yesterday's shearing, Shrek was flown to Auckland from Queenstown in a specially made travel box.
It was his third shearing. The first was televised live and the second, in 2006, took place on an iceberg 90km off the coast of Dunedin.
"We are amazed to see what a cult figure Shrek has become," said Josie Spillane of Cure Kids. "Children adore him, and it is wonderful to have him as an ambassador for Cure Kids."
