As part of the Ministry’s Nga Iti Kahurangi programme, which will be delivering property improvements to learning environments to benefit ākonga across nearly 800 small and remote schools, the government has opted to use a US made nylon carpet. 
This is a just another damaging example of the current government not supporting our own primary sector- but, in addition, could and will have more serious repercussions.

Economically, it makes no sense to buy an internationally produced product, and not support our own NZ businesses. In this time of recession, and high inflation, it would have been a great opportunity for the government to put its money where its mouth is, and support our own economy. This is not just about farming, although NZ farmers could do with the boost- it’s about everyone. The shearers, the wool scourers, the factory producing the carpet, and the sales people. It’s about showing our tamariki that NZ made is the way of the future. 

Much importance must be given to the safety aspect. This nylon carpet is destined for 800 small schools, with our tamariki. In a fire, nylon carpet will burn like crude oil- fast and hot. 
Wool is naturally fire resistant, and can even self extinguish. Nylon, when heated to a mere 160’C, will drip, adhering to skin and causing horrific burns. Wool can heat to very high temperatures (500’C +) before combusting. Some nylon carpets have fire resistant chemicals added - which means our children will get to sit on a cocktail of oil and chemicals 5 days a week. 

Enviromentally, nylon is plastic. This is essentially importing tonnes and tonnes of single use plastic into our country. Wool is a much more environmentally friendly option- when it is time to be replaced, the wool carpet will biodegrade.  Nylon carpet is made from crude oil- a fossil fuel. Wool carpet can be produced here in NZ, with our very high animal welfare and environmental compliance standards.

Wool is a natural insulator, naturally stain resistant, naturally odour resistant, and naturally fire resistant. Why would an imported plastic option compete with that?  The goverment should be modeling that an environmental and safe choice can be better than the cheapest option. It’s about our government leading from the front. 

From now on, the NZ government should choose NZ made wool carpets for all buildings that it owns or has responsibility for carpeting.