Hall of Fame

Celebrating the Legends of Rural Sport

The New Zealand Rural Hall of Fame honours the remarkable people whose achievements, dedication, and passion have helped shape the history of rural sport in New Zealand.

From athletes and competitors to pioneers and leaders, the Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an enduring contribution to their sport and left a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.

More than a celebration of individual achievement, the Hall of Fame preserves the stories and traditions that make rural sport such an important part of New Zealandˇs heritage.

Our Inductees
All
Shearing
Fencing
John Fagan

John Fagan MBE

Fencing & Shearing
Inducted 2026
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John Fagan

John Fagan MBE

Fencing & Shearing

John Fagan is a true legend of New Zealand’s rural sports, having achieved historic excellence in both shearing and fencing. His competitive prowess is the stuff of folklore: a Golden Shears champion (1984), a 91-time Open shearing winner, and a former world record holder who was the first to ever shear 700 and 800 lambs in nine hours.

His legacy, however, extends far beyond his personal victories. John is a master builder of the sports themselves. He coestablished the iconic NZ Shearing Championships (originally King Country Shears) and the globally recognised “Running of the Sheep” in Te Kuiti. His administrative leadership spanned decades, including chairing Shearing Sports NZ and the World Records Committee, and playing a key role in delivering the award-winning 2017 World Championships in Invercargill.

Parallel to this, he was a dominant competitive fencer, winning multiple national singles titles and serving for 20 years on the Fieldays Fencing committee. As a farmer, contractor, and innovator, he worked on product development and rural education, embodying the hands-on spirit of the land.

Honoured with an MBE and multiple life memberships, John’s influence has shaped institutions, inspired generations, and promoted New Zealand’s rural heritage on the world stage. Now retired and enjoying life at Waihi Beach, his half-century of monumental contribution cements his induction into the New Zealand Rural Sports Hall of Fame.

Youtube

Celebrating two giants in New Zealand rural sport – recipients of the Courtesy Ford Lifetime Legacy Award Barry Purdon and John Fagan. Fagan (second to be highlighted) also becomes the first inductee into the New Zealand Rural Hall of Fame.

Watch on Youtube
Steve Hollander

Steve Hollander

Founder

Steve Hollander is the founder of the NZ Rural Games Trust and a key figure in promoting New Zealand’s rural sports and community. In 2013, his pioneering vision led to the creation of the Trust, which successfully launched flagship events including the NZ Rural Games, the Rural Sports Awards, Agri Futures, and Clash of The Colleges.

His entrepreneurial drive extends beyond events. He is also involved with Future Post, an innovative company that recycles plastic waste into durable fence posts. A Christchurch-born sports enthusiast with a degree in Physical Education from the University of Otago, Steve has played multiple sports at a premier club level and still enjoys cricket and a hit of golf on a Wednesday afternoon.  His favourite rural sport is wood chopping.  

After extensive international travel, he returned to New Zealand, where his experience in the travel industry evolved into a specialisation in event travel management for major sporting events. Along with his wife Karen, he is passionate about harness racing and has been breeding, owning and amateur driving horses for many years out of their lifestyle property north of Auckland.