Shrek the celebrity Sheep is jetting into Wellington on Monday to meet Prime Minister Helen Clark on the steps of parliament.
The high-country sheep with an enormous fleece won fame when he was found after evading shearers for six years.
An auction of the wool and other fundraising events have raised $55,000 for the children's charity Cure Kids.
The fleece, described as "rock hard" in places, was 380 millimetres long and weighed in at 27.5 kg.
Shrek, named after the friendly ogre in the popular animated film of the same name, was virtually unrecognisable as a sheep when captured two weeks ago on a high-country farm in central Otago.
The hardy sheep is thought to have survived freezing winters at 1,500 metres above sea level in the heart of New Zealand's main mountain chain by eating plants and hiding in caves.
Shrek's owner, John Perriam of Bendigo Station in Central Otago, says he's been amazed at the personality the sheep has started to exhibit since being caught a fortnight ago.
He says the sheep was overwhelmed and wool-blind when first captured, but is now composed enough to meet Helen Clark.
He says the last two weeks have been an amazing ride for the sheep.
Shrek will also meet the mayor of Christchurch, Garry Moore.
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