Story: Meat and wool

Using New Zealand wool – carpets

Using New Zealand wool – carpets

About 50% of New Zealand wool is classed as strong crossbred (35.4 micron and stronger), which is ideal for making carpet. New Zealand wool is white, so it can be dyed a multitude of colours – illustrated by the coloured sheep in this advertisement. Wool from poorly bred sheep or harsh conditions is often yellow rather than white, and can only be dyed dark colours.

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Reference: Bill Carter and John MacGibbon. Wool: a history of New Zealand’s wool industry. Wellington: Ngaio Press, 2003.

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How to cite this page:

Alistair Nicol and Caroline Saunders, 'Meat and wool - Wool products and marketing', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/ephemera/19238/using-new-zealand-wool-carpets (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Alistair Nicol and Caroline Saunders, published 24 Nov 2008