The New Zealand Merino Shears competition has been cancelled, organisers announced on Wednesday.
The event in Alexandra normally attracts over 100 shearers and woolhandlers.
It was cancelled this year as organisers wanted to mark its 60th anniversary "post-COVID in style in 2021", Shearing Sports New Zealand said in a post on Facebook.
"The cancellation has also led to the cancellation of the 2020-2021 National Shearing Circuit, of which Alexandra has been the traditional compulsory opening round," organisers said.
Greg Stuart, chairman of the New Zealand Merino Shearing Society, said the cancellation was "due to the pandemic".
Planning for the 2021 championships was set to begin in July.
