Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern released his report on the farming sector’s future, which I thought was a well-researched document. The coverage he received in the non-farming media was scant.
For the record, I totally agree with the thrust of the document.
For it to be successful, however, we need to remove the central and local government blockages.
I thought the document on the future of wool was excellent though it achieved little media coverage outside the specialist agricultural media.
I suppose if O’Connor wants media exposure he could grab a piece of alcathene pipe and touch a cow with it. That would get him on the front page of every newspaper in the country and be the lead item on television and radio news.
It is a sad indictment.
I’ve covered the wool industry on and off since 1972 and it never ceases to amaze me.
I remember the great acquisition debate well and how farmers shot themselves in the foot over it.
The late Wilson Whineray outlined a strategy for the wool industry, which I thought was a great way forward. It was roundly rejected by farmers who demanded to be able to sell their wool at auction.
A new farmer organisation, the Sheep and Cattlemen’s Association, which Donald Trump would have been proud to lead, was formed.
Iniquitously, the anti-campaign was funded by the carpet companies. They obviously figured that if Whineray was successful they’d have to pay more for wool, meaning farmers would earn more.
Farmers accepted the carpet companies’ cash and the Whineray initiative was dead.
Subsequent to that I remember covering an Electoral College meeting when one of the candidates came up with the astounding statement that if a farmer couldn’t afford to hold his wool for three to five years till prices came right he shouldn’t be farming.
He was voted onto the Wool Board.
The board achieved nothing other than developing a culture of extravagance into an art form.
More recently I went to a meeting at the Tinui pub where Wools of New Zealand provided a jump-for-joy presentation.
At the time I wrote it wasn’t a thing I’d invest in, which annoyed some. Realistically, my decision was the right one.
Their vision to be the leading innovative sales and marketing company for NZ strong wool is just that in my view, a vision removed from reality.
Over the years I found the demise of the strong wool sector disappointing because it has so much going for it.
In an era when micro-plastics pollute the oceans we have little commentary on the value of the natural fibre that is wool.
When we are subsidising some home insulation we are ignoring wool in that role. As well as being a good insulation it is also a fire retardant.
Local and central government happily put synthetic carpets in their buildings, ignoring the natural wool fibre.
SAFE’s honey, the late Anna Nicole Smith, was the star of their advertising campaign, I’d rather go naked than wear wool. Really? Honey it’s cold outside.
So now we have a new report called Vision and Action for the NZ Wool Sector.
I thought it was excellent.
Those on the pilot committee were well chosen, covering all aspects of the industry. I did approve that a large number enjoyed a Lincoln education.
The document itself is practical and focused where previous strategies have missed on both counts.
The report does suggest our wool sector has a long proud history, which, for the reasons outlined, I disagree with.
It goes on to say natural fibres are on the cusp of a renaissance, which I totally support.
There are three recommendations for action. They are to develop a market-focused investment case and strategic roadmap for the strong wool sector, to establish the capability necessary to get the sector match fit and ready for the opportunities ahead and to establish a governance and coordination capability.
That governance and coordination capability is what will make the initiative sink or swim.
Feds Meat and wool chairman William Beetham said the governance oversight should be professional and based on their skills and insights with the ability to deliver strong governance systems. I agree.
The strong wool sector has sunk in the past as a result of all the experts offering opinions and advice, informed or otherwise.
The steering committee selectors ignored that and came up with a diverse, well-qualified crew with several new faces.
That same focus needs to be a priority.
So, I’m feeling better about the report than I have over many years of wool industry initiatives.
We need to get behind it.
