News and views
Find the latest news, views, articles and opinions in the wool industry today.
Find the latest news, views, articles and opinions in the wool industry today.
April 10, 2025
Industry celebrations over a directive to use Kiwi wool in Government buildings. New builds worth more than $9 million and refurbishments costing over $100 thousand must use wool where possible from July, meeting a Coalition deal. The directive orders state agencies to follow the directive where practical. Campaign for Wool Chairperson Ryan Cosgrove told Kerre…
Read moreApril 10, 2025
From the middle of the year, Government departments will welcome wool products under their feet and around the office. The Government unveiled a new policy yesterday on woollen fibre usage directing 130 of its agencies to use woollen products when building or renovating from July 1. Campaign for Wool NZ (CFWNZ) general manager Kara Biggs…
Read moreApril 10, 2025
CFWNZ was at the Beehive when Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Winston Peters, and Ministers Nicola Willis and Mark Patterson shared the news that from July 1, 2025, new procurement requirements will see construction of Government-owned buildings that cost $9 million and more, and refurbishments of $100,000 and more, using woollen fibre. “It was…
Read moreApril 9, 2025
Farming groups are applauding the government’s decision to direct its agencies to use wool products when building and refurbishing from July 1. The announcement was made by NZ First’s Winston Peters and Mark Patterson, and Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis. The new procurement requirements will see construction of government-owned buildings that cost $9 million or…
Read moreApril 9, 2025
Industry celebrations over a directive to use Kiwi wool in Government buildings. New builds worth more than $9 million and refurbishments costing over $100 thousand must use wool where possible from July, meeting a Coalition deal. Campaign for Wool Chairperson Ryan Cosgrove told Kerre Woodham they’re stoked to see this formalised into policy. Listen to…
Read moreApril 9, 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…
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