Campaign for Wool New Zealand 2024 Annual Report highlights education, advocacy and promotion

The Campaign for Wool New Zealand (CFWNZ) has unveiled its 2024 Annual Report, marking an important year for the country’s wool industry. The report showcases significant progress in education, promotion, and advocacy, with the organization’s strategic pillars focusing on revitalizing the sector.

In education, CFWNZ launched innovative programs like ‘Wool Dynamics’ for tertiary design students and ‘Wool Week’ for primary schools. Engagement expanded to 8,761 students across 38 schools, a notable increase from the previous year. The ‘Little Wool Learners’, initiative introduced wool to early childhood education through sensory experiences.

Promotion efforts rose, with 47 media articles and 21 radio interviews. Social media reach expanded to 1.1 million consumers, further boosted by actor Sam Neill’s appointment as ambassador. CFWNZ also formed strategic alliances with Wool Impact and Wool Research of New Zealand, advocating for wool use in construction. Advocacy initiatives reached government agencies to promote wool adoption in products.

Board Chair Ryan Cosgrove emphasized collaboration as key to the sector’s recovery, while General Manager Kara Biggs expressed optimism over the year’s achievements. Looking ahead, CFWNZ plans to strengthen cross-industry alliances and implement education programs across all age groups, setting the stage for continued growth in the strong wool industry.