Henare pulled out all the stops once more against a strong field at the weekend, and emerged victorious yet again to notch up a lofty 11th title.
He said winning the anniversary event was a "special thing".
"It’s the best anyone could ask for. Last year was meant to see me retire, but it wasn’t to be.
"There have been a lot of great, familiar faces around this year and a lot of strong new contenders, which is also great to see. It looks like I might be sticking around a bit longer."
Quizzed on the secret of his success at the Otago event, he was at a loss.
"I can’t say why I’ve been so lucky here in particular. Maybe I lift myself for the [national] finals, maybe it’s the Otago wool — I don’t know.
"At the end of the day you only get out what you give, and I’ve given it everything today."
The open shearing event was won by Leon Samuels, of Invercargill, followed closely by fellow Southlanders Nathan Stratford (Invercargill) and last year’s champion Brett Roberts (Mataura).
Shears chairman Bruce Walker said a compressed event schedule this year had proven successful.
"We’ve moved from one and a-half days to a single day’s competition this year, so although that’s been a lot of organisation for everybody, it’s also made for improved crowds and a livelier atmosphere."
"The quality of the contenders continues to be right up there, but we’d always like to see more entries."
About 50 former woolhandling competitors and officials helped celebrate the event’s 50th anniversary at a "lively" dinner in Balclutha on Friday night, Mr Walker said.
"Let’s just say there were a few good yarns being spun."
