Vote for sheep in Google's 'Doodle 4 Google'

Not to be outdone by their dairy counterparts, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre has joined the push to get farmers out to vote for a ‘Google doodle’, pointing out that sheep pop up in each year group.

“Sheep feature in each of the four year groups. This shows that sheep form an integral part of the New Zealand psyche,” says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson.

“I guess we’re now in a good natured competition with our dairy counterparts to get a pastoral scene onto Google New Zealand’s homepage.

“It’s actually inspirational that so many young New Zealanders when asked to define New Zealand show affinity for agriculture.

“I’m determined to get sheep onto Google’s New Zealand homepage as opposed to a cow. I’ll ensure this weeks e-newsletter, the Friday Flash, tells meat and fibre farmers how and why to vote.

“For me this shows how sheep still stand as an icon for all New Zealand agriculture.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of the New Zealand economy and these entries tell me that it defines our identity as New Zealanders. That’s something to not just cherish, but to champion,” Mr Wills concluded.

The ‘sheep’ based Google 4 Doodles can be found at:

Years 1-3: “New Zealand Pictures” by Harrison Dykes (age 7) of Heddon Bush School, Winton

Years 4-6: “My New Zealand” by Atalya Fakavamoeanga (age 11) of Coastal Taranaki School, Okato

“Kiwis in the Paddock” by Samantha Waters of Whenuapai School, Whenuapai

Years 7-8: “New Zealand Nature” by Andrei Golovka of Kirkwood Intermediate, Christchurch

Years 9-10 “NZ Food” by Olivier Bartolomei (age 13) of Cashmere High School, Christchurch

“A Taste of New Zealand” by Ashleigh Brown (age 13) of James Hargest College, Invercargill

To vote for a Google Doodle:

· Put “Doodle 4 Google” into the Google New Zealand search engine

· Click the vote button and

· Choose each respective ‘Year’ category and one vote can be placed in each age category.