Possum / Merino Industry

Possum/Merino – Uniquely New Zealand

Possum/merino is a purely natural fibre with its own special properties. Made from the fine wool of New Zealand’s merino sheep and fur from a predator pest that destroys New Zealand’s native bush, bird and animal life possum/merino is uniquely New Zealand. From it are made garments, rugs and accessories that are acclaimed worldwide because of their special lightness and warmth.

New Zealand’s unique possum/merino industry is well integrated across the value chain and is wholly owned and located in New Zealand.

Members include:

Possum fur harvesters - full time collectors, those seeking additional income or recreational sportspeople
Possum fur traders - companies that process the fur and skins from the harvesters
Spinning mills of possum/merino yarns - companies that spin the possum fibre with merino wool, silk and other fibres.
Knitters of possum/merino - companies that manufacture garments, rugs and accessories.

New Zealand is the only country in the world producing beautiful quality possum/merino products. They are unique luxury products which are lighter and warmer than conventional woollen products. The industry is worth over $100m a year, it directly employs 1200 workers and pays over $40m in wages into the New Zealand economy.