An annual Ute Muster, as part of Bayleys Tussock Country music festival, featured a mullet contest where generational supporters of the hairstyle competed to see who had the best ’80s-inspired locks.
Utes old and new lined up at the Southern Field Days site on Sunday to be judged in a variety of categories including best deck and highest number of kilometres.
The pickups were not the only things assessed by the judges as a crowd of about 60 Southlanders braved the icy temperatures to watch some entertaining dog and mullet competitions too.
MC Rural experience provider Real Country owner Laura Koot said there was no-one more reluctant to put themselves in the spotlight than Southland men.
The winner in the Junior category was Liam McCullen, 9, who said he had been growing his mullet since "he was born".
Theanim Wilson, who won for his grown-out ’do in the adult category, initially tried to hide his mullet, which was done by "a hairdresser".
Ute-wise "Best Turned Out 4WD" went to Russell Bradley for his 1979 Nissan Patrol and "The Most Kilometres" was Anthony Haines’ 1999 Toyota Hilux, which had 590,247km on the clock.
"Best Dog in a Ute" went to Cody Wards’ 13 newborn golden retriever puppies, nestled in the back of his Hilux and surrounded by duck-shooting-themed decor.
Mr Wards also won "People’s Choice" with his 2006 Hilux, awarding him $500 and "Best Classic Ute — Pre 1980" was given to Harman Harvey’s 1930 Ford Model A.
GWD marketing manager Hamish Tonkin said the weather was practically "tropical" compared to last year and it was great to see so many utes in every category as well as the mullets.
The utes convoyed through Main St in Gore before heading to Croydon Lodge for prizegiving.
ella.scott-fleming@alliedpress.co.nz
