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.
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
More than 70 farmers from across the North and South Islands recently spent a dayand- a-half learning new business management and planning skills at Rabobank Ag Pathways Programmes held in Invercargill, Ashburton and Hawera.
Government ministers cannot miss the ‘SOS’ – save our sheep call - from New Zealand farmers.
A tax advisory specialist is hailing a 20% tax deduction to spur business asset purchases as a golden opportunity for agribusiness.
Sheep and beef farmers have voted to approve Beef + Lamb New Zealand signing an operational agreement between the agricultural sector and the Government on foot and mouth disease readiness and response.
The head of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers organisation NZKGI says the points raised in a report about the sector by Waikato University professor Frank Scrimgeour were not a surprise.
OPINION: Imagine if the Hound had called the Minister of Finance the 'c-word' and accused her of "girl math".
OPINION: It's good news that Finance Minister Nicola Willis has slashed $1.1 billion from new spending, citing "a seismic global…