Alliance Formed to Strengthen New Zealand’s Wool Industry

A new industry body, Wool Alliance, has been established to revitalise New Zealand’s struggling strong wool sector. The cross-sector organisation — formed through a formal agreement between Campaign for Wool New Zealand, Wool Impact, the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ), and Beef + Lamb New Zealand — aims to coordinate industry efforts, build global demand, and lift the overall value of strong wool.

Described as a first-of-its-kind collaborative model for the sector, the Wool Alliance seeks to streamline operations and reduce duplication across existing entities.

Former Fonterra chairman John Monaghan has been appointed as chair. Acknowledging the scale of the challenge, Mr Monaghan said the Alliance’s formation comes at a pivotal time for the industry.

“I see real opportunity for strong wool to lift its value and visibility globally. But it’s not a straightforward pathway.

“Currently, we have a number of individual bodies competing for funding. Consolidation is the obvious solution, and it’s what growers want.

“The Wool Alliance needs to show up differently, co-operate and collaborate to create a lean and sustainable structure,” he said.

 The initiative has already gained attention from government and industry leaders, including ministers Nicola Willis, Todd McClay, and Mark Patterson, as well as representatives from the Ministry for Primary Industries, Federated Farmers, and New Zealand Farm Assurance Incorporated, who have met with the Alliance team.

Next steps will focus on sector-wide engagement, with grower meetings planned both online and across the country from early November.

Source: Allied Media