Born in the mountains.
Mt Nicholas’ Merinos have roamed the station’s mountains since 1860. The first flock arrived with the White family, the first settlers to farm in the Wakatipu area. Our sheep are still farmed in a similar way today, roaming through the high mountains in the summer, and being mustered down to the lower parts of station for the winter months to keep them safe from winter snows.
Shearing time.
At shearing time in the spring, the station's population doubles with the arrival of a highly skilled shearing gang, who remove the sheep’s cosy coats before the hot summer months. The fleece is prepared for our wool classer Bridget, who then “classes” each fleece individually into specific quality grades.
The wool that is selected for our Mt Nicholas merino heritage goods goes through a further hand-processing by Kate and Latisha to remove vegetable matter, and any parts of the fleece that are less than perfect. It is then baled up, and leaves the station by truck to be tested electronically for quality characteristics, washed to remove the lanolin and dust, then spun and knitted into timeless pieces that you’ll love for years to come.
Our process from paddock to yarn is fixated on complete care, and sustainability. Your purchase supports a family business, committed to the welfare of our stock, and care for our high-country.
ZQ and ZQRX Quality Certification.
We are proud to produce ZQRX wool, and products. This is the world’s leading ethical wool certification. To find more about ZQ, and ZQRX please follow this link:
Ethical & Regenerative Wool | ZQ & ZQRX Merino | The New Zealand Merino Company (discoverzq.com)
Kate from Mt Nicholas explains ZQ and ZQRX:
Farmed with care
Our merino sheep live happy lives, roaming our extensive high country station.
Hand selected fleeces
We select, and initially process by hand, the best 2% of our fleeces to become Mt Nicholas Merino heritage goods.
Crafted in New Zealand
One of our founding principles was that our supply chain had to be based in New Zealand. We have partnered with the best, and most passionate local yarn makers, designers, and knitters, to deliver goods that are truly 100% New Zealand made.
Why ZQ Merino?
Ethical & sustainable
ZQ merino wool is a completely natural fibre that is both renewable, and biodegradable. It's as gentle on the environment as it is on you.
Incredibly comfortable
ZQ Natural Fibre helps to regulate body temperature, and keep you dry. Merino fibre naturally absorbs, and releases moisture, maintaining a balance between the internal, and external environment, without any clamminess.
When the temperature drops, ZQ Natural Fibre adjusts to keep you warm.
Safer & softer
Merino Wool is flame resistant. Unlike some wool, ZQ Natural Fibre is supremely soft; it won’t itch, and scratch like some wool due to the fineness of the fibre.