On April 9 it was announced that from July, government agencies would be directed to use woollen fibre products in the construction and refurbishment of publicly funded buildings "where practical and appropriate".
Slopedown sheep and beef farmer Amy Blaikie said the announcement was "fantastic news".
In 2020, she presented a petition of 15,069 signatures to the House of Representatives, which requested all publicly funded buildings and KiwiBuild homes be built or refurbished with New Zealand wool carpet and insulation.
"It seems like forever ago since we did the petition and you lose a bit of hope," she said.
"It’s brilliant news to hear and I’m stoked.
"The health benefits of not having all that synthetic material within your building [and] I think of the landfills [which are] not going to be filled with as much plastic."
While Mrs Blaikie did have some reservations about what "practical and appropriate" might mean, she hoped producing more woollen products for buildings would boost the economy and increase jobs.
"It’s a huge leap in the right direction."
In a statement, Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson said the government was "walking the talk".
"The new requirements go beyond procurement’s immediate aim of purchasing goods and services.
"They demonstrate the government’s support for the wool industry and farmers by encouraging increased demand for woollen fibre products in government-owned buildings."
The move was warmly welcomed by industry groups.
Federated Farmers meat and wool chairman Toby Williams said it was a "clear vote of confidence" in the future of New Zealand wool as a natural and sustainable product.
Beef + Lamb NZ chairwoman Kate Acland said it was great news for the thousands of people in the wool industry.
Campaign for Wool NZ general manager Kara Biggs said the group was "ecstatic"about the policy which "could really shift the dial for the entire New Zealand wool industry."
Wool Impact chief executive Andy Caughey said the government’s commitment for the preference of wool in construction and refurbishment for government agencies was a major step in support of the wellbeing of New Zealanders, our environment and rural communities.
"This policy will help drive demand and value for wool, improving the profitability of sheep farming and vibrancy of our rural communities."
Initiatives at a government level send the right signals for brands to back wool in New Zealand and globally, which improves demand for wool fibre.
"Selecting carpets, acoustics, insulation and furnishings made from New Zealand wool will generate significant economic benefits for the wool sector, rural communities, and the wider economy."
The move would also have positive flow-on effects for local manufacturing, with New Zealand retaining and growing domestic wool product manufacturing for carpet, insulation, furnishings and acoustics, increased demand would support local jobs, enhance domestic manufacturing capacity, and reduce reliance on imported alternatives.
"This is a show of leadership from the government, demonstrating confidence in the natural, renewable fibre that our growers produce,
"It reinforces the value of strong wool and the sustainable farm systems that underpin its production."
