about us

Laurence Gordon
Founder of the business, Laurence Gordon, has a life long passion for saving some of our most important NZ icons and is well known in conservation circles for his work in trying to save both the kiwi and kokako.

Of his work Laurence says:
“As an individual with a life long interest in conservation, and with considerable community and financial support, I have had the privilege of being at the forefront of the battle to establish sanctuaries aimed at preserving endangered species. The national symbol kiwi and renowned forest songbird the Kokako, two high profile species, have been decimated by introduced predators like possums, ship rats, ferrets, weasels and stoats. With constant pressure applied to these predators it is hugely rewarding for all involved to hear the ancient, haunting calls of the kiwi and kokako re-establishing in their forest habitats. In areas, which do not receive, government or other funds harvesting possum fur is a ‘win-win’ situation creating an economic as well as an environmental upside”.

Pam Robertson
While Laurence is the foundation of the company, Pam Robertson, his business partner, is the knitter who fell in love with the wool and the reason behind the whole venture.

A knitter from way back, Pam is not happy without a pair of needles in her hand, and you’ll find her most evenings, happily knitting samples or designing a new pattern to share with you.

Laurence twisted Pam’s arm and she will be there to take your orders and keep in contact with you when you fall for this yummy yarn.

Every month Pam will hopefully have a new pattern and a newsletter for all of you hand knitters out there to enjoy, and says:

“I am looking forward to hearing about your ideas and can’t wait to see what you do with our wonderful wool“
“I know you will enjoy the experience of knitting with our wool and I hope you will all one day have the pleasure of hearing or seeing one of the beautiful birds that you have helped save.”
“Please fill in your contact details so that I can keep you in touch with our latest news and every month there will be a beautiful hand knitted conservation green scarf for one of our members as an appreciation of your support”.

Pam

A Brief History

The brushtail possum is an introduced species released in NZ in 1837 to establish a fur industry.

As demand for fur fell and its value dropped to uneconomic levels the numbers of possums dramatically increased. They have now reached epidemic proportions with well over 70 million possums munching their way through 21,300 tonnes of vegetation nightly, decimating New Zealand's native bush and birdlife.

With no predators, New Zealand's bush is defenceless against possums. Possums are a serious threat that has spread to 92% of New Zealand's three main islands and, with their habitat destroyed by the possum, many native trees, plants and birdlife, including the kiwi, are under threat of extinction.

The only way that we can get the possum numbers down to manageable levels is by marketing possum products worldwide and getting people who care about the environment to purchase these products. Only then, will it become financially viable for hunters to trap the possum, reduce their numbers, and help save New Zealand's environment.

NZ possum fur blended with merino is luxurious, warm & soft, anti static and a luxury that nearly everyone can afford. By purchasing our products not only are you helping to protect our environment, you are also buying a truly versatile and extremely warm natural fibre that will last years.