| 37 Central Hawke’s Bay: Wright Wool “I just want to contribute to getting the important messages out because I know wool is an exceptional, unique, product.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Supporting, promoting the cause of wool T T Sue Russell Phillipa Wright, director and owner of Wright Wool, has a long history with the fibre. Proud to support Wright Wool Loving Wright Wool Pearls in our custom upholstery pieces Sloans - working with you on your indoor and outdoor living spaces from reviving upholstery to soft furnishings to blinds to awning, shade and alfresco living needs. 06 858 8411 living@sloans.nz www.sloansliving.nz It wouldn’t be stretching the truth to say that Philippa Wright MNZM, Director and owner of Wright Wool has been immersed in wool all her life. The proud Hawke’s Bay wool broker’s father Bryan Wright was a wool buyer in his day and partner Dean Freeman, a Livestock Agent, has been the company’s wool auctioneer. For Philippa, what is most satisfying now, in her journey in the sector, is that she’s in a position to give back, supporting and promoting the cause of wool, much wider than her own company. Involvement extends to national and world-wide initiatives such as the NZ and Global Campaign for Wool, a member of the NZ Federation of Wool Merchants, National Council of NZ Wool Interests and the International Wool Textile Organisation IWTO, to name a few. On the IWTO Philippa has carried specific responsibilities around promoting sustainable practices, wool sheep welfare and product wellness. “When I took over the company from the Reid brothers, I had never assumed that I would one day own my own wool store. I was just in the right place when this opportunity presented.” Wool Brokers handle wool on behalf of a grower and prepare it ready for sale on the open market, usually through auction. The auction process itself though has undergone change, with buyers now able to participate on-line. Prior to the auction day, they are able to view samples of the wool for sale. “Our job is to pick up the wool from the woolshed process and prepare it for sale. We are presently the only North Island broker to be 100% on-line,” Philippa explains. When COVID arrived, it seemed the perfect time to be presenting wool for auction on-line and Philippa says it worked brilliantly, providing opportunities to reduce auction costs significantly and making the selling point far more accessible. Sales are rostered fortnightly and weekly. Prior to auction, every bale is tested, graded and catalogued. “The on-line auction makes the selling process easier, however wool still needs to be touched and seen by buyers to make a final assessment. They then go to the auction with the confidence to bid, according to quality, supply and demand.” Wool testing assesses several factors, including the wool yield, micron size, wool strength, colour, bulk and type. Wright Wool collects wool from Dannevirke through to Wairoa and the cross-bred wool they process is mostly destined for upholstery, insulation, carpets and blankets. Philippa describes wool as a wonder product, one that sadly has not been properly promoted for all its unique, healthy characteristics. “As a natural fibre it is second-to-none. It has a life and personality of its own and synthetic products, made by the push of a button, simply don’t compare.” Wool is naturally fire retardant and absorbs odour. Where synthetically products require chemicals to add any of these attributes. Philippa says there is no comparison. “You just know when you feel an all-wool carpet. It has a life and warmth to it, that synthetics don’t.” The Wright Wool Pillow, made from Joma® Wool Pearls, is now available on-line. Philippa says the pillow naturally shapes to an individual’s head. Each pearl is a ball of sprung wool which supports the sleeper. “We only put in 75gm of wool in each pillow. You can adjust the comfort to suit your own level of support and is wonderfully rejuvenated in the sun.” Daughter Rebecca, who manages high-class home stays in Queenstown, has installed the pillows into all the homes and many visitors have subsequently ordered their own pillows. “I have had a huge number of buyers from Northland to Invercargill. It’s a purchase they can see real value in.” The Natural Wool Company also sells New Zealand wool pillows in America, through a company Philippa & Dean established three years ago with an American couple in the wool rug business. Growing the market for strong wool is Philippa’s goal and what keeps her motivated in an industry, which she admits, has struggled to find its place. “We have recently had wool included in the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme, similar to meat. This will mean our wool will be marked as meeting NZFAP standards through its whole production chain and separate it out from all the other world wool available for sale.” Asked what drives her to continue to work hard advocating for strong wool and its applications, Philippa says, its such a wonderful product, bringing huge benefits to consumers. “I just want to contribute to getting the important messages out because I know wool is an exceptional, unique, product.”
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