As sustainability and a strong sense of place take centre stage in New Zealand design, wool is emerging as a leading material for regenerative interiors. Discover how NZ-grown wool supports acoustic comfort, circular design, provenance, and natural beauty in architecture and interior design.

It’s time to bring the personal back into the process. Designing locally allows me to have more control over the outcome and process and to connect incredibly closely with my materials, and then translate them into machine-produced small runs in the same city I live in. For me, choosing to make as locally as possible is a gentle fist in the air for my values: good design, slowing down, consuming less, designing without exploitation, and using the best materials.

A recent article exposing fibreglass shedding in a a New Zealand bed company’s mattress highlights the urgent need for transparency and safe material choices. It’s a reminder that sustainable design must prioritise both health and honesty. Natural fibres like wool offer fire resistance without toxic treatments—making them a safer, more responsible option for our homes. As designers and consumers, it’s on us to ask better questions and choose materials that protect people as well as the planet.