Kāinga Ora has announced it will use wool carpet in new state homes from July, following a directive that government agencies use wool in the construction and refurbishment of their buildings.
The change in procurement rules, to make wool the preferred option in government buildings, was a directive to about 130 agencies in April and takes effect from July.
On Wednesday, the state housing provider announced it would follow suit, with 4500 new state houses expected to be fitted out in the next three years.
The return of wool carpets to state homes was welcomed by Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson at Fieldays the same day.
“The decision is great news for sheep farmers, and all the New Zealanders whose jobs and incomes are tied to the fortunes of our world-leading wool industry,” Willis said.
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She said the Government wanted wool producers to have more opportunities to supply woollen products to the construction industry “wherever practical and appropriate”.
“Kāinga Ora’s new supplier agreement was made possible because the agency chose to re-open an initially nylon-only carpet tender and give wool a chance to compete.
“I’m told woollen carpet manufacturers responded very strongly to that opportunity and that the new carpet supply agreements come with no additional cost.”
The new procurement requirements covered government-owned buildings that cost $9 million or more, and refurbishments of more than $100,000.
A spokesperson said the total value of the Kāinga Ora contract was commercially sensitive and couldn’t be disclosed.
They said some contracts for carpet in homes had already been let, but under the new supply agreement newly contracted fit-outs would be met through the wool-carpet supply contract.
Where nylon carpet had already been installed in existing homes Kāinga Ora would continue to use nylon carpet for single room or smaller patch repairs.
Willis said the message was clear.
“When wool was put back on the table it more than held its own, delivering value for taxpayers and a win for sheep farmers.”
She said the new policy directed government agencies to identify opportunities to use woollen products, and to properly consider a range of factors in procurement including whole-of-life cost, sustainability and health benefits.
“We’re leveraging government spending to back the wool industry and the New Zealand economy. I hope private businesses will follow our lead.”
She previously said natural qualities allowed wool to dampen sound and absorb pollutants, while woollen fibres contributed to healthier indoor environments by naturally regulating humidity and improving air quality.
Patterson said the move continued to deliver on a New Zealand First and National Party coalition agreement to prefer woollen fibres in government buildings.
“Woollen fibres create safer, healthier and more sustainable living environments for families.”
He said the sector contributed $549m to the economy in the financial year ending 2024 from exporting processed and unprocessed wool products.
“The Government is determined to help lift the fortunes of the strong wool sector in supporting our sheep farmers.”
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