Wool campaign making strides
A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.
New Zealand actor Sam Neill has joined the Campaign for Wool NZ as an ambassador, lending his name and profile to educate and advocate for New Zealand strong wool.
Neill, a fourth-generation New Zealander, is one of the country’s most well-known actors, having starred in over 150 films, documentaries, and television shows.
Behind the scenes, he is an enthusiastic wool advocate, sharing his Central Otago farm with sheep, cattle, pigs, ducks, chickens, and grapevines.
He says he has long felt connected to strong wool and its benefits.
“I spent a lot of time working in woolsheds as a young fellow and they were some of the best days of my life,” says Neill. “There are very few experiences you can have that are more New Zealand by nature.”
“Today, I am a sheep owner and my Suffolk sheep produce strong wool. Every time we shear I am remined about what a great product that is – durable, warm, sustainable, and biodegradable, but somehow undervalued. And it comes from happy sheep. There is nothing like it.”
In his role with Campaign for Wool NZ, Neill will assist in creating visual content that drives home the message that New Zealand-grown strong wool is natural, comfortable, moisture-wicking, and eco-friendly.
Campaign for Wool NZ’s general manager Kara Biggs says the alliance is “perfect” and the charity is excited to work with the star.
“Speaking with Sam, his passion and vision for New Zealand strong wool couldn’t be more clear,” Biggs says.
“Sam understands wool, he’s already a huge advocate for wool, and he’s genuine in his quest to share its myriad beneficial qualities with his audience,” she says. “We are so grateful to Sam for making time for Campaign for Wool and helping us share the message that New Zealand strong wool is magic.”
Neill joins three other Ambassadors – fashion and textile designer Liz Mitchell, architect Stephen McDougall and commercial interiors specialist Robert Macfarlane.
The ambassadorship begins immediately.
“I am very happy to be associated with, and a grower of, one of the world’s best products,” Neill concludes.
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?