John Perriam with photography by Stephen Jaquiery
Random House $45
e may not have the legs of a supermodel, but Shrek the sheep — our superstar merino —sure isn’t camera-shy these days as his new book reveals.
It’s been seven years since this hermit woolly captured the hearts and minds of Kiwis when he was first discovered living in cave in the snowy reaches of the historic Bendigo high country sheep station in picturesque Central Otago.
Today, Shrek the sheep, now fifteen years old, has clocked up more air points than many Kiwis, he’s raised tens of thousands for charity bringing joy to some of our most vulnerable youngsters and elderly. He’s arguably contributed tens of millions to New Zealand’s economy as a pin-up boy for tourism, he’s been photographed with Helen Clark at Parliament, he’s done hundreds of media gigs, kids have written a best-selling book about him, and he’s even made it to C4’s list of top 100 NZ pop icons.
Most recently, he was back on telly facing off against Pikelet the pig, Maggie Magpie and Tina Tuna as TV3’s Campbell Live were on the hunt for our own “Paul the Octopus” oracle to predict the rugby results. Shrek the sheep is, without a doubt, a national treasure up there with Opo the dolphin and Phar Lap and he will always enjoy a very special place in our collective Kiwi consciousness.
Now, for the first time, Bendigo station owner John Perriam shares his and Shrek the sheep’s delightful story in Shrek: The Story of a Kiwi Icon.
Illustrated with stunning photography, it’s a must-have for every family home this Christmas. It’s a classic Kiwi story for adults and youngsters alike. It includes recent photographs of Shrek the sheep’s tour around New Zealand when he was photographed with other great Kiwi icons for the book. The trip wasn’t without its drama. Shrek the sheep managed to hold up the flight back to Queenstown as a very patient crew struggled to get his corporate box crate into the plane because it was smaller than the one he flew up in; he got into trouble with DOC up North for tucking into the fernery at the base of the great Kauri Tane Mahuta; a Museum receptionist wasn’t sure what admission to charge him as he walked in through the door; and he had a Mexican stand-off with a stroppy Kea.
Reflecting on the time that’s passed since Shrek the sheep was rescued — beyond all the hype — Perriam believes that in many ways he represents the Bendigo spirit and that “there are some uncanny parallels woven through the roots of the station, and the sacrifices and struggles of his own family over many generations.”
“Shrek the sheep is all about transformation and hope,” says Perriam.
“He was wool blind and wouldn’t have survived another six months up there if he hadn’t have been found. Since then, for the past seven years, Shrek has visited countless schools, hospitals and old folk homes; and raised thousands of dollars for charity. He has brought so much joy to people and given them a sense that there is always hope.
“He’s so sensitive with the sick and elderly. He goes right up to their bed, looks at them with his gentle gaze, lets them pat him and then it’s on to the next one. It got to the stage where he would just go from room to room without us even leading him. He brings people great comfort.
“The look on people’s faces when he walks into their room is quite something. It’s absolutely about hope and you know their one Shrek the sheep memory will comfort them in their darkest moments. It’s hard not to get emotional about it. I defy even the most hardened cynic not to have a lump in their throat to experience this exchange.
And ,when asked if all this stardom has gone to Shrek the sheep’s head, Perriam does admit that he may have “developed a bit of a rock star attitude” these days.
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