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 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…
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…
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