Here at New Zealand Natural Clothing, we are huge fans of anything NZ-made. Which is hardly surprising! But it’s not just because we are NZ born and bred… The quality and craftsmanship of products coming from our lands are truly remarkable.

From our favourite knitwear items to beers and wines (yes, our breweries and vineyards are epic!) to foodstuffs, art and more, we are extremely proud. It’s no small feat for a relatively small country! - Did you know that around 78% of our land is uninhabited?

As part of the throng of producers here in New Zealand, we wanted to talk about our very own Tararua Dual Layer Corriedale Merino collection. It’s a real favourite of ours and oozes NZ spirit.

In this blog, we’re going to dive into the conception of this collection and its three incredible products. (It might be a bit of a boast, but once you’ve gotten to the end of the blog, I'm sure you will agree!)

By the end of the blog, you will be in the loop with everything Tararua, and hopefully, you might have your eye on your next purchase ;)

As with any great product, the collection began with an idea. And this one came from our awesome supplier, Jual - an exclusive to NZNC.

Alan, Rob, and the crew at Jual came to us with a new concept; a different blend of wool. And one that offers a change in use and wearability from the ever-popular Romney Possum Merino Jerseys we sell very successfully. Jual presented a great addition to us, knowing we would like to expand our own brand products and increase our clothing range. So, a heavier-weight jersey without being woollen was ideal!

Of course, pricing becomes a major factor in whether we bring new product lines into the fold. But we also strive to add as many NZ-made garments into our offering as possible. So we had to determine how this concept measured up to those goals.

Fortunately, Jual was able to do a great job of this. Although, at the moment, the Tararua Dual Layer collection isn’t 100% NZ-made, with binding and zippers imported from outside the country. Plus, the wool farmed here gets exported for processing (they spin the yarn ready to be knitted) and then returned to us.

(We really hope to bring more of these processes back to NZ in the near future!)

The high-quality garment construction, however, gets the full New Zealand touch. So, we can be sure every customer receives products of the quality and craftsmanship they deserve.

In 2021, after agreeing on the pricing and how the product would be manufactured, Phil and Julie asked Jual to provide samples of the ¼ zip jacket and a hoodie, both with pockets. Some minor adjustments in shape and size were made for the initial order to be produced in May 2022.

[Great news! Jual is partnering with a new dyehouse set up in Levin, showing they are behind a new regime of NZ manufacturing. This partnership also means we will be able to offer a wider range of colours in the Tararua collection soon.]

Tararua is a region in New Zealand that runs from Wairarapa to Hawkes Bay. The Tararua Mountain Range spans from the Manawatu River Gorge to the Rimutaka Range just North of Wellington.

The Tararua Range backs onto our store at Ōtaki, on the Kapiti coast, so the naming of this brand new collection was a no-brainer for us, based on our locality.

The image below shows you the Tararua Mountain Range and its incredible tramping spots. We’ve also highlighted our stores' locations so you can see the locality!

Something else we love about Tararua is that it’s proud to be known as a green belt, one that may withstand rising temperatures longer than any other region in the country. Understanding the impact of climate change makes Tararua a little bit more special.

We are also proud to have a close relationship with the Tararua District Council.

Mayor Tracey Collis, and other councillors are very excited that we can present garments that will work in a corporate branding position and keep the crew healthy in our changeable weather. We hope to get some on the backs of the hard-working crew based in Dannevirke.

P.S Speaking of climate change and rising sea levels... Norsewood is 400m above sea level, and back in 1968, Norsewear was moved from Wellington to be manufactured here and still is to date. The cooler higher altitude is a good reminder to shoppers just how warm our woolly layers are in this climate!

If you’re familiar with our brand, you’ll know that we care greatly about the environment. So, let’s talk briefly about how it was considered when designing and manufacturing the Tararua collection.

The ecosystems we live around make many of our homes so beautiful. That statement is true for many, regardless of where you find yourself in the world.

So, it was of the utmost importance to us when we were creating this collection that it is as lovely to you as it is to the world.

New Zealand-made garments support the local farming and manufacturing industries, providing jobs for an abundance of locals. Also, with the collection largely produced in New Zealand, the carbon footprint is highly reduced compared to those made entirely overseas.

The Corriedale wool (outer layer) comes from sheep on Cape Campbell Station, and the Merino (inner) is from down the Road at Isolation Station, Awatere Valley, in Marlborough.

These beautiful sheep thrive on the natural pastures overlooking 10km of coastline. A considerable part of the Cape Campbell Farm policy is to farm sustainably with very few chemical inputs to enhance and protect the property's biodiversity and the adjacent coastline.

Our Tararua Range comprises three products. Each is as wonderful as the last!

Every garment is a 450 GSM weight garment is perfect for blocking wind chill while still being extraordinarily breathable. Maintaining your body temperature while protecting you from odour by linking a soft 100% NZ grown Merino 19.5 Micron fibre to 32 Micron Coarse Lambswool.