Editorial: Wool's Back in the Black
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
WoolWorks has partnered with the Lions Club of Riverton to help raise money for much-needed repairs to the Southland town’s swimming pool.
WoolWorks, New Zealand’s largest wool-scouring company, has partnered with the Lions Club of Riverton to help raise money for much-needed repairs to the Southland town’s swimming pool.
Lions Club members gathered the equivalent of nearly 80 bales of donated wool from farmers for transport to the WoolWorks Grower Direct store in Timaru.
There, the wool was scoured and tested free of charge, then shipped to wool products company Terra Lana, which has agreed to purchase the scoured wool for use in their home insulation and other wool products.
Proceeds from the sale of the scoured wool will go directly to the Lions Club of Riverton.
Wayne Fleck, club president, said that the club usually fundraises by selling firewood and kindling, running lamb competitions, a duck race and many other events.
“The idea of collecting donated wool was a great idea. Wool was collected by members who gathered everything from a fleece to several bales.”
A total of 77 bales was delivered to the WoolWorks Grower Direct store site at Timaru Port.
WoolWorks Grower Direct has recently been established to manage wool supply direct from farm to the scour to provide an efficient model that over time will deliver additional opportunities for growers.
Rosstan Mazey, WoolWorks Grower Direct chief executive, said the company was pleased to be working with the generous woolgrowers.
“These growers are really making a difference in their local community by donating their wool to this fantastic cause.
“It is so important for Kiwis across New Zealand to have access to swimming pools as water safety continues to be a major concern, particularly as we move into the summer and holiday season.”
WoolWorks Operations CEO Tony Cunningham said the company regularly supports community-oriented initiatives.
“Farmers continue to play such an important role in our rural communities, and we are pleased to be involved and clean this wool free of charge at our Timaru facility ahead of it going to Terra Lana for manufacturing into high-performing wool insulation products.”
The Lions Club of Riverton donates to and supports a number of community projects, and the club marks its 60th anniversary next October.
Fleck said that over that time, hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours of members’ time have gone into community projects.
“We are always grateful for the help and support of many businesses and entities such as WoolWorks, who contribute to the community projects we serve.”
The donated wool was processed on 6th November at the WoolWorks South Island scouring facility in Washdyke (Timaru), which coincides with a visit from some members of the club.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…