WHY ORGANIC?

Prevention is better than cure.

Using organic food and fiber ensures we are not exposed to toxic chemicals.

Organic farming methods means food and animals are grown naturally without synthetic or harmful chemicals. Organic production is based on positive holistic management systems, which reduce or eliminate the need for most agricultural chemicals and promote healthy soils, air, waterways and responsible animal husbandry practices.

WHY ORGANIC WOOL?

Organic wool yarn has not been chemically treated at all throughout the entire production process, from the farm to the finished product. Organic wool is free of pesticides, formaldehyde, polyester, foams, dioxins and other additives used in conventional manufacturing practices.

The sheep are grazed on pesticide free land and are never sprayed or dipped as is commonly practiced in conventional wool production systems. Organic sheep are bred for resistance to parasites and are fed on organically certified pastures to build healthy immune systems. Mulesing (the removal of wool and skin near the sheep’s rear end to prevent fly-strike) is not practiced.

The greasy wool is scoured (cleaned) in an approved biodegradable cleansing agent before being carded and spun at a certified organic mill. The certified organic yarn is then knit into NUI Organics™ garments at our certified organic knitwear company. At all times the organic wool is kept separate from other wools to prevent contamination. BioGro – the leading New Zealand organic certification agency, audits each stage of production. Organic Knitwear is fully traceable from the farm to the finished product.

Wool is a natural fiber and a renewable resource that is non-allergenic. Organic wool can be used extensively by those who normally suffer from chemical sensitivity when in contact with conventional grow wool. Some 8000 chemicals are known to be used in the modem textile industry. Sometimes those who ‘react’ to wool are actually displaying a reaction to the harsh scouring agents, dyes and chemicals used in conventional wool production and not the wool itself.

Nothing is added to our organic wool - no conditioners (New Zealand Merino is already super-soft), no moth proofing (it is stored with herbs to deter moths), no flame retardants (it is naturally self-extinguishing) and no dyes (the colors we use are all natural wool colors).

Chemical dyes frequently include toxic heavy metals such as chrome, copper and zinc, and sometimes contain known or suspected carcinogens. Even natural dyes, because of their poor colorfastness, are often accompanied by heavy metals in the mordant, or dye fixing, agent. We use no dyes. The colors we use – cream, cocoa and silver – are all natural colors of the New Zealand Merino.

Our farms are committed to long-term sustainable farming practices. The purchase of organic knitwear promotes clean air, clean water and soils free of toxic chemicals while delivering the purest quality wool to wear next to the skin.

HOW DO I KNOW IT'S ORGANIC?

Your "organic guarantee" comes in the form of organic certification. Independent Organic Certifiers, who represent the consumers, audit producers regularly to verify that the organic standards are complied with. Our products are certified 100% organic from the farm right through to the finished product by BioGro, New Zealand’s leading organic certification agency. BioGro is one of 15 IFOAM Accredited Certifiers - IFOAM is the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, which benchmarks organic standards and certification worldwide.

WHY WOOL?

• Wool is mother natures wonder fiber.
• Wool is the perfect insulator. It is incredibly warm in winter and cool in the summer as it has the ability to breathe with the skin. Wool is the most hydrophilic of all fibers and has the ability to wick away excess moisture. It can actually absorb up to 30% of its weight in water without feeling clammy or wet to touch. It can then release this moisture into the atmosphere to keep the wearer feeling warm and dry. This ensures the layer between our NUI Organics™ clothing and your baby’s skin remains dry and rash free. This is unlike synthetic fleece, which is warm but does not breathe easily.
• Tiny overlapping scales case the wool fiber. They're hydrophobic (water resistant), like tiles on a roof. This allows wool to repel liquid spills with ease.
• Wool is safer to wear having natural fire-retardant properties. It can resist flame without the chemical treatment involved in fireproofing. Synthetic fleece is oil based, ignites easily, burns fiercely and melts. If your synthetic fleece is fire proofed, then you have the fire proofing chemicals next to your skin.
• Wool is a renewable resource that regrows on the sheep after shearing. It is biodegradable and kinder to the environment than oil-based synthetics, which contribute to global pollution.
• Wool is long lasting and durable. You will get years of use from your NUI Organics™ products. (Plan on having lots of children!) Wool resists spills, dries very quickly and is mildew resistant. This means no dust mites.
• Wool is remarkably elastic. Wool fibers can be stretched and still bounce back to their original shape. This makes it incredibly comfortable to wear, allowing for growth and movement.

WHY NEW ZEALAND MERINO WOOL?

Organic New Zealand Merino wool is the finest, purest wool in the world. Compared to traditional wool, the New Zealand Merino fiber is a fraction of the diameter, which is one of the reasons why it doesn't itch. The large scales on traditional wool act like barbs against sensitive skin. Organic Merino Wool feels silky soft and is the most luxurious of wool yarns.

Our wool is sourced from certified organic farms in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. In addition to being breathtakingly beautiful, the Southern Alps experience differences in temperature that range from one extreme to the other. The Merino who live here at 7,000 feet above sea level have developed over time a fleece that shields against scorching summers and protects against harsh, freezing winters. The incredibly fine fibers have amazing warmth to weight ratio, trapping air to insulate and breathing to cool. The fineness of the wool is necessary for survival in this dramatic landscape and thus is unique to the New Zealand Merino.