Our History
1996 - 2022
‘Reflecting on where we have come from, NZM has a strong legacy of innovation and challenging the status quo.’
1996
Merino growers established
the Merino New Zealand
industry-good organisation
1997
Merino New Zealand executes first direct supply contract with John Smedley Limited
2001
Merino New Zealand became a fully commercial company as The New Zealand Merino Company Limited
2004
NZM held the first auction of NZ Merino in Melbourne to increase competition for growers’ fibre
2007
NZM and its grower community developed
ZQ Merino
2010
NZM held ‘the thinkering summit’ with key brand partners in Silicon Valley
The NZ Government entered NZSTX, a 7-year Primary Growth Partnership with NZM
2011
Growers purchased the PGG Wrightson shares in NZM
2012
SILERE alpine origin merino launched and can be found on New Zealand’s finest menus
The first New Zealand Primary Sector Bootcamp was held at Stanford University
2016
The Wool Unleashed (W3)
programme commenced
2017
icebreaker signed a 10 year contract, the longest ever supply contract with Merino growers
ZQ became the world’s first Cradle to Cradle certified wool
2018
NZM’s Stanford Vanguard Wool event was held with the world’s most innovative wool brands
2019
NZM opened its new office at 123 Victoria Street, Christchurch and launched the adjacent Studio ZQ
NZM won the Supreme Award at the International Business Awards
2020
NZM launched the world’s leading regenerative fibre initiative – ZQRX
2021
NZM hosted the Heroes’ Journey Conference, to celebrate our community of Actionists
