NO EWE-TURNS: Model Erin Turner helps struggling lamb Jay Jay at the Dairy Flat farm of Steve Hollander, who pitched the sheep-run idea to the city.

A mob of sheep will be run down Auckland's Queen St as a climax to the Real New Zealand Festival being held around the Rugby World Cup.

Led by the Topp Twins, and accompanied by shepherds, shearers, axemen and bikini-clad models on quad bikes, the sheep will head from Aotea Square to Queens Wharf at lunchtime on October 17 – the Monday before the cup final.

Organisers promise there will be no repeat of the 2009 chaos in Te Kuiti when close to 2000 sheep ran amok, breaking through barriers and knocking out a bystander.

"This is quite different, it's more like a muster than a race," said Senior Sergeant Don Stuart, the officer in charge of operations planning.

The event is expected to be watched by thousands of visitors, who will see Jools and Lynda Topp – as their alter egos Ken and Ken – compere the event.

The sheep will be kept under control by six-man teams of dogs and handlers.

The Honda Queen St Sheep Run will be one of the highlights of more than 1000 events planned during the Real New Zealand festival, and director Briony Ellis said it would give visitors the chance to experience the Kiwi lifestyle.

"A lot of people wouldn't have any idea how good New Zealanders are at woodchopping, shearing and dog trials, so what better opportunity to showcase it than down the main street of Auckland," she said.

Cutting Edge Sport's Steve Hollander thought he was up against it when he approached the Auckland Council about the event, since it hardly ranked with the Santa Parade, the America's Cup or even Boobs on Bikes.

On the other hand, it was a nod to tradition – 100 years ago sheep and cattle were herded down Queen St and loaded on to boats at the wharf.

King Country farmer John Fagan, who has organised five Te Kuiti runs and will supply the sheep, said they would not just be let go, and the public would not be allowed to get in front of the mob either.

The romney sheep will be let out of a pen behind the town hall and will be shepherded down Queen St behind barriers mounted on two trucks. Mobile mesh screens would keep them separated from bystanders and vehicles.

"I'd like a big police presence," said Fagan, chairman of Shearing Sports New Zealand. "These animals are worth $200 a head and I don't want people coming to town to get a free roast."

SPCA Auckland chief inspector Vicki Border said she was satisfied everything had been done to ensure the safety of the sheep.

Hollander is hoping the All Blacks and Wallabies make the cup final so he can invite coaches Robbie Deans and Steve Hansen to go head-to-head shearing sheep on Queens Wharf.

"The loser might join the team responsible for picking up the droppings on Queen St."