Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Kāinga Ora has announced it will allow wool carpet providers the chance to tender for supply of carpet and underlay in its homes.
For more than a decade, the government agency has used nylon carpet due to its durability and price.
Federated Farmers have welcomed the decision with meat and wool chairperson Toby Williams said it was cause for celebration.
"It's fantastic and something we should really celebrate as sheep farmers.
"While we haven't won the tender yet it's certainly a fantastic step forward and a shot in the arm for the strong wool sector, which desperately needs all the good news it can get at the moment."
Williams said it is now up to wool carpet providers to make sure their proposals are competitive.
He said the change comes after five months of relentless pressure from the industry.
"It's been really tough, when Kāinga Ora first announced it our jaws hit the floor.
"To be excluded from being able to tender just didn't make any sense at all... to say wool hasn't been competitive in the past and in won't be in the future is a fallacy."
Wools of New Zealand also welcomed the change with chief executive John McWhirter calling it a sensible decision and a positive move.
McWhirter said wool carpet has attributes that sets it apart from synthetic carpet such as being completely natural, allergy and asthma safe, fire-safe and warmer.
By allowing the use of wool in public buildings, McWhirter said the government can drive demand for wool, support local farmers, and promote the environmental benefits of wool.
Over the next two years to 30 June 2026, Kāinga Ora said it was adding a further 2650 new homes to their portfolio and will be significantly renovating or replacing another 3000 existing homes.
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