Environmental

Heirloom Weavers NZ are passionate about sustainable living today, protecting New Zealand's environment and native species of flora and fauna, 
by keeping possum numbers to a more sustainable and natural balance. 

A Brief History of the New Zealand's Bushtail Possum

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. This includes eggs, chicks and insects and the most vulnerable is our national bird the kiwi.

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 possum is a medium sized marsupial with fur similar to mink. The fur is hollow much like that of the Polar Bear which is quite a rare phenomenon. Unlike possums found in other countries such as North American and Australia, the New Zealand Possum is not protected as it's numbers are esculating faster than they can be eradicated.

The only way that we can get the possum numbers down to manageable levels is by marketing possum products worldwide and encouraging 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. 

*If you're interested in looking into possum control and would like some advise or a few tips on getting started, contact us and we will put you onto the right people. They will supply you with all you need including quality traps and lure at resonable prices and a large variety of product to choose from. Once having started, they can help you with payment for the collected fur.  

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.

New Zealand garment companies have spent a number of years working on bringing to customers worldwide, a wonderful fabric that is both amazing to wear but also giving everyone the opportunity to lend a hand in preserving the beautiful eco systems of natural New Zealand habitats. 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. 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.

About Possum Merino

You'll absolutely love our NZ Possum Merino garments! Join the great following of those who appreciate this unique blend and you'll never look back! New Zealand Possum Merino is a wonderful composition of Possum fur, Merino lamb's wool and Mulberry Silk or nylon for extra strength. It is luxuriously soft, incredibly lightweight, exceptionally warm and comfortable to wear. Any wrinkles through packaging drop out quickly. It is anti static, doesn't pill and resists odour! Due to the hollow nature of possum fur, it provides exceptional thermal warmth without weight. Research has shown it to be 55% warmer than Merino and 35% warmer than cashmere. With a superfine micron, New Zealand Merino wool is renowned for its softness, easy care and durability. Perfect for any season and climate and is also odour resistant, as many hikers can report. The thermal and breathable warmth is well known.

Washing Instructions for Woollens / Possum Merino

You'll find you very rarely have to wash possum merino garments as the possum fur and merino wool resists the absorbtion of odor. You'll find all garments come with washing instructions attached. Possum Fur also has antiseptic qualities and is very gentle on the most sensitive skin.For hand washing rinse using warm water and an approved wool detergent, rinse well, dry flat. Drycleanable. Do not bleach or tumble dry. (Use a dry cleaner you trust as I find they don't always get it right and can shrink the garment.)
If using machine wash use the delicates option only. I have found hand washing garments in warm water as instructed very easy and with no problem. 

A good tip is - the temperature you wash in is the same you rinse in as temperature changes can bring shrinkage. Also don't over lather, just a small amount of liquid soap is all you need, you can always add more later if you need it. Gently swirl and press the garment around in the warm water with no vigerous rubbing or wringing. You can roll in a towel to absorb water first before laying flat to dry. Shape garment while wet on towel.