Find the latest news, views, articles and opinions in the wool industry today.
April 10, 2025
Pure wool is synonymous with fluffy sheep, baby booties and well, heartland New Zealand – but the reality is that the industry has long struggled against the rise of artificial alternatives. So it’s not surprising that today’s government announcement mandating the use of woollen fibres in new government builds and renovations that meet certain budget…
Read moreFebruary 27, 2025
Wool is in the fight of its life, up against an avalanche of plastic in the form of clothing, bedding, home insulation and carpet. Jane Phare talks to Kiwis, including Kiwi actor Sir Sam Neill and fashion designer Liz Mitchell, about why they’re in wool’s corner. They’re a zealous lot, the wool brigade. They’re determined to…
Read moreFebruary 3, 2025
Wallace Chapman and panellists Zoe George and Nick Leggett talk about the turnaround from the government’s housing agency which has wool producers celebrating. Listen to the interview HERE.
Read moreJanuary 31, 2025
Lobbying by wool and farming sectors is being credited for a backdown by the state housing provider, which has re-opened bids from suppliers to provide carpet for its houses. Kāinga Ora’s exclusion of wool carpet suppliers from its Request for Proposal (RFP) process in December provoked a backlash that has seen it reopen the tender process, saying it wants…
Read moreJanuary 31, 2025
There’s confidence from the wool sector that Kāinga Ora will learn the value of wool carpets. The social housing agency’s back-tracking on a previous ban after using synthetic carpets for more than a decade. It will now allow wool carpet providers to tender for carpet and underlay contracts. Campaign for Wool general manager Kara Biggs…
Read moreDecember 4, 2024
Another blow has been dealt to the wool carpet industry following a decision by Kāinga Ora to refuse to use the natural fibre in state houses. The refusal is contrary to a directive made by the coalition government for government agencies to prefer wool over synthetics in their buildings. Kāinga Ora’s decision makes them the…
Read moreDecember 3, 2024
“Kāinga Ora’s decision is hugely disappointing, and another low blow for New Zealand’s strong wool growers. Last year’s coalition agreement gave our growers a clear message of hope and encouragement stating that government agencies should preference the use of wool fibres in government buildings where practical. It’s unfortunate that Kāinga Ora has decided against home-grown…
Read moreOctober 24, 2024
The last gap has been filled in the Campaign for Wool New Zealand’s drive to cover wool in education right across the learning spectrum. Building on the momentum generated by the launch of its tertiary education pilot earlier this year, Campaign for Wool NZ (CFWNZ) has, in a first, clinched a partnership collaboration with the…
Read moreOctober 23, 2024
As we continue our spotlight on wool this week, all thanks to FMG, we’re joined by the GM of registered charity ‘Campaign for Wool NZ’ to look at how their work is impacting the industry. Listen to the interview HERE
Read moreSeptember 27, 2024
In this episode, Julia Jones chats with Ryan Cosgrove from the Campaign for Wool, who reveals the untapped potential of wool through data-driven insights and why colour, not micron, may be the key to capturing more value. Get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about wool. Listen to the interview HERE
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