New construction procurement guide – use of woollen fibres in government buildings

Cabinet has agreed to an amendment to Rule 69 of the Procurement Rules. This Rule requires agencies to give effect to Construction Procurement Guides when procuring construction works. It will take effect from 1 July 2025. The requirement will apply to government owned buildings for:

• new construction works when the maximum total estimated value of the procurement meets or exceeds the value of $9 million (excluding GST)
• for refurbishments when the maximum total estimated value of the procurement meets or exceeds the value of $100,000 (excluding GST).

Agencies will make their own assessment on the practicality and appropriateness of using woollen fibres.

They will also need to consider factors such as whole of life costs, compliance with New Zealand Standards, technical and functional requirements, as well as the relative sustainability and wellbeing benefits of using woollen fibres rather than artificial fibres.

For government buildings, strong wool has a variety of potential uses, such as flooring, insulation, acoustic panels as well as furnishings.

The proposed requirement meets the commitment, in the National Party and New Zealand First 2023 coalition agreement, to “direct government agencies where practical and appropriate to preference the use of woollen fibres rather than artificial fibres in government buildings".

Agencies will be required to report to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) on an annual basis, if they have chosen not to use woollen fibres as well as the reasons why woollen fibres were not practical or appropriate.

The guide is available here:

Construction procurement guidelines

Going for Growth: backing New Zealand wool producers – Beehive.govt.nz