Ruanui Station: A New Zealand Wool Success Story
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After years of frustration due to declining returns on their lambs wool, Meredith and Andrew Carpenter of Ruanui Station took matters into their own hands.
They farm sheep, beef, and deer on their third-generation Taihape property, and since 2020 have been using their own Romney lambs wool to create throws, picnic blankets, clothing, and pet beds, while staunchly keeping the supply chain within New Zealand’s borders.
From Declining Prices to a New Venture
The idea, meredith says, had been brewing for several years, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced her hand, and the idea quickly grew into a full-fledged business.
“The Ruanui Station woolen products stemmed out of declining wool prices, and when COVID hit, the market really collapsed. It was a now or never sort of situation,” she says.
“We’d talked about doing somthing for years, and then once COVID hit I had some time on my hands and it all unfolded quite quickly.”
The value of a Local Supply Chain
One of the best parts about selling their wool through Ruanui Station is the tangible connection to the final products, Meredith explains.
“before COVID, our wool was sent to China, and we would never know what it was made into. Now we name each blanket after each paddock on the farm, so people have a piece of Ruanui when they buy our products.”
their product line has grown from just blankets and throws when they began, to now including pet beds, cot and picnic blankets, and more recently, a partnership with MKM to make limited edition jumpers and beanies.
Supporting New Zealand Manufacturers
Meredith says it was always meaningful to keep the supply chain entirely within New Zealand’s borders, and that it was a non-negotiable before they began. The wool is processed locally at each stage:
- Scoured in Hawke’s Bay
- Spun in Wellington
- Woven in Auckland
“Keeping that supply chain contained wholly within New Zealand was really important to us. we wouldn’t be doing it if we couldn’t have it all made in New Zealand. It would be against the grain really with what we are trying to do.”
The Importance of Local Weaving
Because of the limited number of commercial weavers in New Zealand, Meredith believes it’s important to support them to prevent their disappearance.
“There’s only one commercial weaver left in New Zealand, so we’re really lucky to have them. I feel that if we’re not supporting our local manufacturers, we’ll lose them forever.
It’s a double whammy really. We’re doing something that I think is ethical, and then we’re supporting local businesses too.”
Published: 2025/12/15 03:09:43