A decision by Kāinga Ora to award a two-million-dollar
contract for the supply of wool carpet in some of its new
builds and renovations is being hailed as a breakthrough for
NZ’s natural fibre sector by industry experts.
The
selection of locally owned manufacturer Bremworth as a
supplier of wool carpet for Kāinga Ora’s newly constructed
and renovated homes will see wool carpet installed in around
900 planned state housing projects annually for the duration
of the three-year contract.
Bremworth CEO Craig
Woolford says the win has far-reaching implications for both
public sector procurement, the rural community and the
broader property development industry.
“This isn’t
just a commercial contract, it’s a signal to the entire
construction sector that wool carpet meets the durability,
safety and sustainability standards expected of any
high-traffic housing environment. Government agencies like
Kāinga Ora are seen as setting the benchmark for the wider
industry,” says Woolford.
“Wool has
now passed one of the most stringent testing processes in
the country. It’s proof that when put on a level playing
field, New Zealand-made natural fibres can not only compete,
but they can also win.”
“The fact
this contract has been awarded is the result of years of
effort to ensure wool had a seat at the table,” Woolford
says. “The inclusion of wool is a win for New Zealand’s
farmers and future tenants of these
homes.”
“Beyond the public housing win, we’re
now expecting to be invited to present wool carpet solutions
to property developers and construction firms involved in
Kāinga Ora builds, and those working on private
developments. It is expected that this project will give us
access to projects that had previously defaulted to
synthetic solutions.
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Woolford says that while the
production volumes for the Kāinga Ora contract represent a
relatively small portion of Bremworth’s total capacity,
the strategic value is enormous.
“To produce the
annual wool carpet requirement for the Kāinga Ora contract
you’re looking at approximately 95 tonnes of wool, the
annual fleece of circa 25,000 New Zealand sheep. It’s a
demonstration of the potential scale of opportunity for our
wool sector.”
“It also opens the door for broader
adoption in schools, commercial fit-outs and private
homes.”
He says wool’s natural properties,
including its flame resistance, air purification
capabilities, thermal and acoustic insulation and
biodegradability make it uniquely suited to New Zealand’s
sustainability goals.
“Kāinga Ora’s new state
homes are built to the latest standards, designed to deliver
warmth, comfort and health outcomes for some of New
Zealand’s most vulnerable residents, and flooring choices
like wool carpet help play a role in achieving
that.”
“This is an important milestone, but also
just the beginning of a much bigger conversation about the
role of New Zealand wool in our built
environment.
