On-farm advisory support has been scaled back for farmers in the $4 billion cashmere fibre industry as New Zealand Cashmere positions its business to refocus on market partnerships and sales beyond the farm gate has completed the Sustainably Beautiful Cashmere Sustainable Food and Fibres Futures (SFFF) programme to re-start the cashmere fibre industry NZ Cashmere said the programme has successfully developed tools and resources to support farmers as they consider adding cashmere fibre production to diversify their farming businesses Over the course of the programme 50 farms have been on board having started farming cashmere-producing goats with progeny and fibre production showing excellent quality As well a state-of-the-art multimillion-dollar fine fibre scour in Wellington a  processing facility has been commissioned Farm Assurance protocols for fibre production are also in place to ensure market premiums can be passed through to growers “The sector is well set up with this nucleus group of growers,” NZ Cashmere chief executive Andy May said He said NZ Cashmere has scaled back on-farm advisory support to refocus beyond the farm gate on market partnerships and sales with Woolyarns.  Environmental and productivity research was compiled and farm consultancy support tools have also been developed to aid the integration of cashmere goats on farm.  Two case study farms supported by AgFirst will continue to provide insights for farmers who are interested in seeing the benefits of producing fibre for the  cashmere market.  Both the South and North Island manager roles are being disestablished but May assured farmers NZ Cashmere will continue to work with them through providing resources and tools high-value guaranteed contracts for fibre and market insights “We thank Olivia Sanders for her role as business development manager Liv came on at the very start of this project and has been instrumental in the development of the industry creating resources for farmers and building connections with growers and industry.  “Over the past year Duncan Steans has also provided strong start-up support for new growers in the North Island.”  while she is disappointed to be leaving the role she believes the industry is in good heart “This is a business decision driven by a multitude of things while it coincides with the SFFF finishing it has a lot to do with the global market as NZ Cashmere works together with Woolyarns on a refocus towards market access “After three and half years building NZ Cashmere from the ground up but incredibly proud of everything we achieved.” Sanders started with NZ Cashmere as just a concept “But we believed NZ farmers could do more with less and achieve ultra-premium returns by growing one of the rarest fibres in the world but NZ Cashmere will still buy every strand of fibre that can be produced it’s an operating business decision and farmers should continue to breed goats and reap the premium $110-$150 a kilo for the fibre,” Sanders said You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image Tech’s 2-0 loss to Nelson Suburbs on Saturday marked the first time since 2012 they have dropped points in three consecutive league games Schwarz said no player’s position was guaranteed but backed senior players to step up against Ferrymead Bays on Saturday It’s a good talented squad with 24 players and some of the reserve boys staking a claim as well.”  “Sometimes it’s about looking at experience we always trust our senior boys to make the right calls on the day.” Christchurch United sit atop the table after back-to-back 9-0 and 10-0 wins over Selwyn United and Universities They now face a tough away trip to Dunedin City Royals who are coming off a 2-2 draw with Bays United captain Travis Graham said they had room to improve all these type of things that we set in the beginning of the season but we still could get a little bit better and try to do it consistently for the full 90 minutes.” will face off on Saturday with at least one side guaranteed to earn their first points of the season Discover a sophisticated take on everyday essentials, in partnership with Uniqlo SOFT BEYOND COMPARE and effortlessly indulgent, a great cashmere sweater is more than a luxury – it’s a lasting essential. This season, Uniqlo redefines winter fashion with the launch of its 100% Cashmere Collection: a thoughtful upgrade to cold-weather staples trades her heavy knits for a Uniqlo cashmere crewneck En route to a Harper’s BAZAAR Australia shoot she notices the difference – the refined texture no one asks where it’s from – but everyone notices Her partner picks up the same sweater in charcoal Stripped of excess and rooted in quiet luxury and an elevated feel designed for daily life and versatile cardigans – available in a considered range of thirty shades from soft neutrals to rich Uniqlo has humbly managed to deliver the best cashmere offering of 2025 Shop Uniqlo’s 100% Cashmere Collection, available now in-store and online. RELATED: Oversized shirts you’ll love for workdays, weekends and beyond Harper’s BAZAAR participates in various affiliate marketing programs which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and commit to building a brighter future together Former national women’s coach Fred Simpson will head up Cashmere Technical’s campaign to win back-to-back Women’s South Island League titles who coached the New Zealand team for three games in 2004 has extensive experience as a men’s and women’s coach having led teams at clubs including Invercargill Thistle who won the 2024 Women’s South Island League on goal difference from Dunedin City Royals have named Simpson as their head coach for 2025 “We are super excited to have Fred back on board with us as he has been a part of the CTFC family for many years,” Technical said in their announcement Technical confirmed their women’s high-performance staff which includes: Main photo: Cashmere Technical. Photo credit: Jim Watts Photography / @jimwattsphoto Technical’s women’s pre-season programme starts on Monday February 3 This story was first published on February 2 Here’s NZ Football’s 5-minute highlights reel from last.. Here’s NZ Football’s 7-minute highlights reel from last.. Auckland FC’s Guillermo May is the special guest on episode 17 of New Zealand’s weekly.. Auckland United have started the defence of their OFC Women’s Champions League title with a.. Dub Zone is back for another week of analysis Papua New Guinea have claimed the final place at August’s OFC U-16 Men’s Championship after.. A widely-admired former club and regional football administrator Here’s NZ Football’s 12-minute highlights reel from last.. May 3-9: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship – qualifying, Tonga (click here for details) May 5-18 (NZT): Auckland United at OFC Women’s Champions League, Tahiti (click here for details) May 16-18: Grand final, women’s A-League (click here for details) Monday May 19 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Switzerland, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) Tuesday May 20 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Guatemala, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) May 26-June 3: FIFA international window (women) May 30-June 1: Grand final, men’s A-League (click here for details) May 31-June 1: Second rounds of Chatham Cup June 2-10: FIFA international window (men) Thursday June 5 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details) Sunday June 8 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details) Sunday June 8 (11am NZT): All Whites v Côte d’Ivoire, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) Wednesday June 11 (9am NZT): All Whites v Ukraine, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) June 15-July 13: FIFA Club World Cup, United States (click here for details) Monday June 16 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Bayern Munich, FIFA Club World Cup, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio (click here for details) Saturday June 20 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Benfica, FIFA Club World Cup, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida (click here for details) Wednesday June 24 (7am NZT): Auckland City v Boca Juniors, FIFA Club World Cup, Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee (click here for details) June 23-July 1: FIFA international window (women) July 5-6: Quarter-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup August 1-14: OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, Samoa (click here for details) August 15-30: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, Solomon Islands (click here for details) August 16-17: Semi-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup September 2-9: FIFA international window (men) September 17-24: University of Auckland at FISU Men’s Football World Cup September 20-24: OFC Futsal Men’s Cup September 21-October 4: OFC U-19 Women’s Championship September 27-October 19: FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup September 27-28: Season starts for men’s and women’s National Leagues October 7-15: FIFA international window (men) Wednesday October 15 (k/o TBC): Norway v All Whites, international friendly, Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway (click here for details) October 17-November 8: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Morocco (click here for details) October 20-28: FIFA international window (women) November 4-28 (NZT): FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup, Qatar (click here for details) November 10-18: FIFA international window (men) November 17-22: OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League November 21-December 7: FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, Philippines (click here for details) 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Oceania qualifiers December 13-14: Grand finals of men’s and women’s National Leagues June 12-July 20 (NZT): FIFA Men’s World Cup © 2025 Friends of Football Site designed by Hurricane Press Ltd using - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP The web app you have attempted to reach has blocked your access The nation's top watchdog has admonished Cashmere High School for refusing to apologise to a family trying to enrol their child New Zealand’s top watchdog has named and shamed two schools for refusing to apologise to students saying he’s concerned some schools are failing to act fairly and he could raise the matters with the Prime Minister Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier investigated complaints from parents of children at Auckland’s St Peter’s College and Christchurch’s Cashmere High School admitted buying marijuana as part of an alleged drug trade at the school and was later among a number of students excluded or hit with disciplinary action The school’s board said the student’s behaviour had been a “gross misconduct” Boshier found St Peter’s board did not properly record how it arrived at its decision He consequently decided they acted unreasonably and needed to apologise to the student and family The second case involved a student with disabilities who was refused out-of-zone enrolment at Cashmere High School Despite the student’s older siblings already going to the school and the family earlier living in its in-zone Boshier found the school had followed its enrolment policies and therefore had not acted unreasonably it had failed to properly explain its decision to the family He told the school to apologise to the family “It is very disappointing when boards fail to see my recommendations as an opportunity to learn from their mistakes and improve their processes and decision-making,” Boshier said “What’s even more unfortunate is that failure by a school board to accept my recommendations reflects badly on the school as a whole.” Boshier said parents in tough situations typically wanted to feel they had been heard and treated fairly by school boards School boards were like other government organisations and must act transparently and fairly set up to investigate complaints levelled against government organisations “When my recommendations are not complied with ultimately I can escalate my concerns to the Prime Minister and Parliament I can ask them to examine the situation and decide what further action to take,” Boshier said so it is very disappointing when some do not.” Boshier’s investigations found the school’s board had not properly recorded in writing its deliberations about how best to discipline the Year 11 student That meant it was not clear what steps and factors the board had considered and whether it had followed or steps as set out by the law the board did record these details in discussions about other suspended students Boshier found the school board had acted unreasonably in suspending the student and needed to apologise to the student and their family It also needed to better record its deliberations during future student suspension meetings The school board told the Ombudsman it would follow his recommendations about future meetings but would not be apologising In the case involving the student wanting to enrol at Cashmere High School the pupil’s older siblings were already going to the school The family had previously been living in Cashmere High’s zone but “due to factors outside of their control” had to move to a different area They had assumed that when the pupil graduated from intermediate school they would be able to enrol out-of-zone at Cashmere High because the student’s siblings were already there the family wrote to the board explaining the student’s disability and circumstances They said they were concerned the student “would be socially and emotionally disadvantaged if they could not attend the school with siblings and friends from intermediate school Cashmere High’s board said they could not fit any more out-of-zone students and had been repeatedly urged by the Ministry of Education not to do so The board said the family should instead ask the Ministry of Education to write a letter stating the student must be enrolled at the school Boshier found the school board had not acted unreasonably by refusing to enrol the student the way the board communicated this with the parents was unreasonable “The board didn’t explain the basis for its decision nor did it outline the factors it considered beforehand This made the parents feel like they hadn’t been listened to They were unsure whether the board had considered the factors they put forward in their letter,” he said “There were also issues with the board’s record-keeping It is vital that proper records of a decision-making process are kept to make sure they are transparent and are accounted for school boards must comply with the Public Records Act.” Boshier recommended the board write a comprehensive apology to the parents and take appropriate steps to make sure its members were aware they needed to properly explain the basis for their decisions The board has refused to implement the recommendations “No one likes it when their children get into trouble but if they find themselves in that difficult situation parents need to be sure that school boards are going to do the right thing,” Boshier said The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night ECan councillors and staff were joined by Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon local MPs and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency staff to mark the service uplift of the No 7 (Queenspark to Halswell) bus route on Monday with five new electric buses added to the route In thanking ECan’s partners for their support chairperson Craig Pauling reminded NZTA of its plans to add more electric buses to the No 1 (Rangiora to Cashmere) and 5 (Rolleston to New Brighton) bus routes to increase their frequency ECan is continuing to talk to NZTA about its plans to boost its five core bus routes The Orbiter and No 3 (Airport to Sumner) bus routes have already been given a service uplift ‘‘There is a massive process involved in getting these approved If you’ve done the work it is more likely to get approved.’’ The Greater Christchurch population is expected to pass 700,000 over the next decade and approach one million over 30 years Te Kaha Stadium and the Metro Sports Facility are due to open in the central city next year ‘‘I would say most people don’t know where the bus interchange is ‘‘During peak times those buses are already full and we know patronage is growing so by having more buses on the route it will ease the pressure.’’ Gordon regularly takes the bus to attend meetings in the city and said Waimakariri is ‘‘well served’’ by the bus network He is keen to explore trackless trams as an option to realise the goal of mass rapid transit for Greater Christchurch ‘‘It doesn’t require as much in-ground infrastructure or disruption to the transport network ‘‘It would be good to get one here and at least trial it.’’ He acknowledged residents in outlying towns like Amberley and Ashburton have made submissions for bus services to be extended ‘‘I do know with the park and ride service from Rangiora and Kaiapoi people from Amberley and further afield make use of the service ‘‘It is about being part of Canterbury and as we grow looking at how we can connect those districts Pauling said extending bus services to towns like Amberley or Ashburton will require targeted rates which is considerably more than the existing rate to support community vehicle trusts ECan supports community vehicle trusts in Amberley ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air brands are banging on the door and New Zealand is ideally placed to take a chunk of the US$3.2 billion global Cashmere fibre market.    Commercially farming Cashmere goats is a whole new concept that can offer an exciting business proposition for NZ farmers farmers were told at a NZ Cashmere field day hosted by John and Jane Harrison on their Temora Downs while each and every farming system is unique the principles around farming Cashmere goats can be applied to pretty much all.  A key topic for the day was using goats for chemical-free weed control AgFirst Rural Solutions consultant Graham Butcher said integrating goats into existing sheep beef and deer operations can complement existing farming systems as goats eat vegetation that other livestock won’t touch and the goats won’t touch the clover so it’s a win-win all round,” Butcher said Goats are lower cost and convert to high value products using waste pasture that can be as high as 20% they will avoid waterways and have a lighter nutrient footprint with fewer chemicals and more farm resilience “As a farmer you trust your intuition and years of experience to make on-farm decisions every day “As a business owner you look for rigour when evaluating potential opportunities for your farming system “We’re confident this opportunity for NZ Cashmere will not only feel right but also stack up as a simple cost-effective and expertly supported business proposition that will increase your farm productivity and profitability.” preferring what would normally be considered feed with zero to low value “We need to utilise this ability to advantage by letting them range over larger areas so they can express their preferences “While they need higher quality feed for high performance they can select the high-quality parts and on hills grazing steeper slopes.    “The key is how they graze and getting grazing management right.”     Butcher acknowledged “there was a lot of good research and science done back in the 1980s and ’90s and it’s now to utilise that and showcase the journey.” Goats share the same worm species as sheep Typically shearing is once a year mid to late winter with 50% payment for fibre by December and 50% by the end of March Harrison integrated goats into his system in spring 2024 and is reporting huge success as a trial farm initially running 130 does and 80 kids on his 650 hectare property “I’d say I have been pleasantly surprised; it’s been easier than I expected.”     Harrison said the goats are a way to make money without impacting stock rates Cashmere fibre outperforms sheep wool.”  While the quantity of fibre produced is lower it is valued up to $150 per kilogram – “just a shame you only get half a kilogram” Harrison said one or two hot wires will keep goats within their confines Butcher said some farmers are turning to goats to make use of unproductive land rather than opting for blanket forestry “Most people with a decent number of goats find their pasture quality improves and clover volume increases.  “It’s about finding a stock mix that uses as much feed as possible on the farm.”  Woolyarns chief executive Andy May said high-end global fashion brands demand the finest raw materials to use in their garments “They’re also looking for ways to premiumise their offering with compelling provenance to pass on to their consumers who are demanding more traceable supply chains “In NZ we’re ideally placed to produce a premium traceable and sustainable local Cashmere product that will meet this demand and establish itself as the most admired fibre on the planet “The global opportunity is huge; US$3.2 billion just Cashmere.  That will offer huge additional returns for NZ producers looking to diversify and sustain their farming businesses.” Cashmere fibre pricing for 2025 ranges from $110-$150/kg NZ Cashmere business development manager Olivia Sanders said there is limited opportunity for new people to start with “the white fluffies as our growers are growing their own flocks as they realise every mouth is valuable on farm” “To propel this industry we need some larger properties where we can have foundation does to pump out the fluffy white kids We want the NZ Cashmere industry to be a success for us all.” Canterbury club Cashmere Technical are seeking a head coach for their women’s first team “Following an exceptional 2024 season where the team claimed victories in the South Island Qualifying League we’re looking for someone who can continue building on this success,” the club says “The ideal candidate will bring high standards and a passion for nurturing a driven squad with the ambition to replicate and build upon the achievements of 2024 “This role also involves close collaboration with our reserve team and academy coaches ensuring support and development for emerging talent.” Candidates must hold a current OFC/NZF B-Licence as a minimum Send a cover letter and coaching CV to Cashmere Technical’s director of football, Garbhan Coughlan, at: garbhanc@ctfc.nz This story was first published on November 13 The school won four golds at the championships – their best result Rowing co-ordinator Adrian Riepen said the regatta will be the perfect way to cap off an impressive season “When you start training in September and do all the hard training over summer then you build through the regattas and then you get that kind of success at South Islands everyone’s just counting down now (to Maadi),” he said “It (the South Island champs) is dubbed as a dress rehearsal before the Maadi so it’s a nice indicator as to where the squad is at “If you get a bit of success and some tough racing then it really instils a lot of confidence in the rowers and they can go into the regatta feeling quite good about themselves.” “When you line up in the heats or the finals and the other crews look left and they see Cashmere High School I think they’ll know they’re the South Island champions,” Riepen said “So there’ll be a bit of expectation that they’re going to be quick.” Cashmere has rapidly climbed the ranks in high school rowing and was the third-best Canterbury school at the South Island champs “Each year it just seems to go better than before,” Riepen said “You wrap up with prizegiving after Maadi at the end of each season and you’re just blown away by what these kids have achieved The Maadi Regatta runs from Monday to Saturday Few could argue against the government aspiration of New Zealand being predator-free by 2050 but for a specialist yarn manufacturer the policy created a few ruffles possum fibre has been a staple for its Perino yarns that also use Merino wool and silk fibres Woolyarns manager Andy May said in 1999 the company produced about 2000kg of Perino yarns a year The possum fibre industry contributes about $150m a year to the NZ economy through retail sales The company has pioneered technology that enables it to produce a range of  possum and wool yarn blends but the risk of NZ becoming predator-free or the possum population being significantly reduced May believes NZ has an opportunity to increase its cashmere fibre production which he said the market wants because of the country’s farming capability and integrity In addition to the goats controlling weeds and improving pasture he said cashmere fibre can provide an extra source of income for sheep and beef farmers without compromising stock numbers Cashmere is a $4 billion global industry with an estimated 3 million kilogrammes of the fibre used in textiles each year One Scottish mill alone uses 400,000kg a  year.  who is based at Woolyarns’ Lower Hutt factory and is also the executive director of the wholly owned subsidiary NZ Cashmere said high-end global fashion manufacturers have told him they want alternative and reliable sources of cashmere They also want farming practices that meet their sustainability benchmarks he said NZ farmers already largely meet He has met with owners of some of the world’s leading brands In many cases the usual 30-minute sales meeting lasted several hours as he was quizzed on NZ’s ability to produce cashmere fibre to their requirements such is the importance they place on finding alternative sources of fibre Discussions ended with the question “When can NZ start supplying significant volumes of cashmere?” NZ currently farms about 8000 cashmere goats with many farmers in the expansion phase and working to improve the quality of their fibre Their target is to clip 250-350 grams of cashmere per animal Fibre prices are currently $110 to $150/kg depending on micron May believes by 2030 NZ could have 50,000 cashmere goats but that would still only provide less than 15,000kg of cashmere “We’re not going to take over the world here but we will win in the end because we have got all those supporting qualities and accreditation that high-end brands want.” Possum fibre is still a key product for Woolyarns which has invested in the supply chain to ensure a source of product and to ensure trappers follow best practice It is a key investment to ensure supply and quality standards Woolyarns is working with cashmere goat farmers to build partnerships “We have a history of investing back in the supply chain because we know what brands want.” About five years ago South Otago farmer and cashmere goat enthusiast David Shaw began to scale up the sector citing benefits in weed control and unsatisfied markets for the fibre spike in interest in the sector in the 1980s and 1990s when farmed goat numbers reached an estimated 1 million A lack of structure and mixed quality meant it became unviable and it effectively morphed into a cottage industry In 2021 Shaw and Woolyarns launched NZ Cashmere an entity Woolyarns subsequently bought outright It has since invested in growing the industry behind the farm gate and spent $3 million on bespoke machinery that cleans the fibre and removes the guard hair ahead of processing “Having that machinery here is a massive investment and really I think is the key to the whole industry outside what is happening on the farm,” he said With assistance from the government’s Sustainable Farming Fund it invested $900,000 over three years in understanding and promoting how to farm goats and how they fit into an existing livestock farming systems as well as providing information and advice for those wanting to farm them The brief explosion of interest in the cashmere fibre in the 1980s was also driven by the notion that you manage goats like sheep Research commissioned by NZ Cashmere shows that given access to unimproved areas infested with weeds a 3000 stock unit farm can run 300 goats alongside existing stock numbers Goats eat 15 more plant species than sheep and May said studies show they can use up to 25% of hill country forage that would normally go to waste.  Goats are happy to live on weeds and research shows when they have access to clover Farmers are increasingly using them to control weeds such as gorse blackberry and thistles and to tidy lamb finishing feed They tend to eat from the chest up and the head down Farmers – some very sceptical – have told May that goats have transformed areas that were previously impenetrable due to weeds or that they have improved the quality of lamb and cattle finishing pasture A mated doe costs about $120 and traits such as fibre colour diameter and down length are highly heritable May said Shaw’s long-term commitment to the sector ensures there are high-quality genetics available The one issue prospective farmers will have address is containment but May said trial and error shows the animals quickly learn to respect electric shocks so an electric fence will often suffice Select meat companies are already processing goat meat and say they could handle more should numbers increase It is the complementary role of goats on farms that most excites May helping farmers to save costs and provide an extra source of revenue because I know that in end we will get this beautiful fibre The business under sole director Andy May is promoting the cashmere option to sheep and beef farmers to restart the industry after it broke up in the late 1980s More than 40 farmers are on the books and more are needed to reach the goal of supplying 1% of the international market dominated by China and Mongolia fibre A woolshed presentation was made to farmers at a field day at John and Jane Harrison’s sheep beef and deer property near Mid Canterbury’s Mayfield The couple invested in 150 mixed-age cashmere does for their fibre and to help develop a spray-free programme at their 650ha hill-country farm Temora Downs for thistles to improve their pastures a 78-year old business in Wellington supplying premium knitting yarns internationally which developed the possum merino industry 25 years ago into a $150 million industry He said leading European fashion houses were looking to source sustainably produced cashmere and their strong interest in New Zealand fibre was a "bit scary" "All we have done the past four years is stockpile fibre We haven’t gone to the market with any fibre or any yarns at this stage It’s just a bit dangerous if we go supplying yarns to the market and they come back with an order of 2000 kilograms and we say we’ve got 20kg or 100kg our credibility will be shot." Cashmere prices are up to $150 a kilogram for a grade between 14.5 and 15.9 microns with 16 to 16.7 microns selling for $125/kg and 16.8 to 18 microns $110/kg Mr May said the international market pricing was difficult to work out as it was tied up by China with buyers having to pay 70% for orders before it got on the boat "A lot of that is controlled by the Chinese Mongolian market "They have most of it and are not prepared to let everyone play them off against them "So it’s hard to get a read on pricing and the price we know is what we pay." The idea to restart cashmere came to him when he sat down with the sustainability team from the French luxury group Kering about six years ago "It was the scariest moment of my life and I just sat there and didn’t say anything when this lady tore shreds off us because we had presented a yarn with possum and cashmere from China," Mr May said "We had been importing cashmere from China for close to 40 years and .. we thought we were going in there with this beautiful product "But we soon learned that they are faced with a lot of issues around the environmental aspects of cashmere growing in China and Mongolia." A plan was hatched to build cashmere numbers when he was contacted by veteran South Otago breeder David Shaw a few months later Mr May said the global industry was worth $US3.2 billion ($NZ5.6b) with much of the 6500 tonnes of raw fibre available each year coming from China and Mongolia A Scottish company used 400,000kg yearly alone so there was huge demand The goal was to create a better cashmere industry this time "We are still living in the bias of what happened so it’s important what we do this time works "We have proven we can grow a fibre that is whiter longer and brighter and softer in its fibre." The industry nose-dived when the share market crashed Chinese regions becoming more protective and locally after angora bloodlines added to cashmere flocks increased micron levels Mr May said the fibre would be fully traceable to provide fashion brands with security Woolyarns has invested in its own scouring and processing facility with cashmere’s double fleece removed of the outer layer of guard hair before it goes to the spinning plant Mr May said the challenges of building cashmere goat numbers and convincing farmers they were good animals were being worked through The building blocks were in place with fashion brands "banging on the door" every two weeks to supply fibre "We just now need the volume — that’s the next important piece of the puzzle." Business development manager Olivia Sanders said most growers were attracted to their yarn returns weed control and ability to tie in with sheep and beef systems The emerging market was unable to supply large orders of more than 150 cashmere goats "Everybody started with relatively small flocks because we had a small population of good cashmere goats nationwide and the majority of growers are holding on to every animal .. "Most of our growers are looking to grow their flocks to about 300 to 500 goats." Another option was to source "foundation" does from the wild population and put a cashmere sire over them tim.cronshaw@alliedpress.co.nz started playing croquet in late 2017 and then began competing in 2018 while at Cashmere High School They have had big success since then - with a high point of representing New Zealand at the U21 golf croquet world championships last year and winning numerous national titles They will all compete at the open national championships in Nelson which starts on Monday but I went down,” said Winter who was 14 at the time “I was into pool at the time so she thought I would like croquet.” and shortly afterwards got his other mates involved “Myles had a sleepover at my house and we were bored in the morning then James and Levi turned up about a half a month later.” They were all sporty kids - Winter played football with James and Myles Duggan He isn’t sure exactly what kept them coming back but said they were having a lot of fun “I don’t think we would have kept playing if we didn’t enjoy it!”  The first to get a ball through seven hoops is the winner to association croquet - the more traditional version of the sport where players can take more than one shot in sequence as a reward for getting a ball through a hoop or hitting another ball The first to get through each of the six hoops twice and then hit the centre pole is the winner the foursome competed at the U21 nationals in Palmerston North where Franks took out the singles competition beating James Duggan in the semi-finals while Winter was another semi-finalist Myles Duggan lost to his brother in the quarter-finals and the twins also made the final of the doubles competition Franks is also among the top players in the country for all ages having won the national championship singles once and doubles three times – twice with Winter and once with James Duggan “My goal is to win a world championship,” Franks said "The biggest thing with the open worlds is I’ve got my whole life to try and win it." They will not be the only Cantabrians at the nationals – defending champion Logan McCorkindale is from Ashburton originally but now lives in Christchurch and will be competing alongside his brother Reece lives and studies in Christchurch after moving from Palmerston North and will team up with James Duggan for the doubles competition who competed at the U21 world championship in 2019 Former world No 1 Chris Clarke and his wife Jenny James Duggan looked back fondly on the foursome’s journey so far “Croquet has brought us really close together and it’s just a whole lot of great memories over the six years,” he said “I look back and it’s one of the best times of my life.” It comes in 20 colors and stripes and makes the perfect layering piece Christina Shepherd McGuire is a shopping writer for Real Simple She has been writing and editing for over 10 years who is deputy principal at Auckland's Mount Albert Grammar School to the role in late July after Eccleton was named Christ’s College's new executive principal in May Eccleton will also start his new role in term four He was Cashmere High principal for five years but worked at Christ’s College from 2016-19 as its assistant principal - curriculum Cashmere High board of trustee chair James O’Connell said the vacancy attracted a "significant list of applicants" "John is an outstanding leader with a passion for learning experience and skills to lead our school into the future "John comes highly recommended from his current role as a deputy principal at Mount Albert Grammar School." O’Connell said Mount Albert Grammar is renowned for strong academic performance "John is a former head boy of Mount Albert Grammar with years of teaching and leadership experience in New Zealand and Asia," O’Connell said "John's educational philosophy is centred on the belief that young people's character and resilience are shaped through challenges which should be faced with the support of teachers "He recognises that each learner has unique strengths and needs and he emphasizes the importance of professional relationships in a creative inspiring culture of ‘high expectations’ to create the right opportunities to equip young people with the knowledge and character required for a meaningful life "John’s past performance has been a testament to his belief and he will arrive at our school knowing that he will have our confidence and support and their three sons have chosen to join our community Their enthusiasm and commitment are truly appreciated." O’Connell said Ms Smith will continue as acting principal during term 3 and the board has considerable expectations and hope for the future of our outstanding school and community."   between Auckland City and Birkenhead United Coughlan finished the league phase level with Birkenhead’s Daniel Bunch on eight goals That mark is one ahead of Bunch’s teammate Monty Patterson and City’s Myer Bevan Coughlan said he is hoping to hold on for what would be a third successive golden boot with goals in the final counting towards the tally Coughlan also shared the golden boot in the last two seasons – both times with Wellington Olympic’s Gianni Bouzoukis going down 2-1 to Birkenhead at Ngā Puna Wai while Coastal Spirit wrapped up with a 5-1 loss to Auckland City with Bevan scoring a hat-trick in just 150 seconds in the first half The results gave their opponents a place in the final Coastal finished their maiden National League campaign in seventh They finished in the top two of the Southern League for the first time and won the English Cup winning the Southern League earlier this year Canterbury United Pride slipped to a 3-0 loss at home to Auckland’s Western Springs and finished seventh in the women’s National League Cashmere Technical will look to add the Reta Fitzpatrick Cup to their league titles when they meet Haswell United at English Park on Wednesday evening having won the Women’s South Island League and the Mainlaind Premier League The side are also the current holders of the Reta Fitzpatrick Cup When they met in the Mainland Premier League Halswell have reached the final of the Reta Fitzpatrick Cup without conceding a goal and get the opportunity to win the competition which began 50 years ago — of which Main photo: Cashmere Technical … playing for a place in the final. Photo credit: Jim Watts Photography / @jimwattsphoto Mainland Football will live stream the match on their YouTube channel (see link below) Game to be played on Wednesday September 11 The Reta Fitzpatrick Cup is Mainland Football’s premier women’s knockout competition named after one of women’s football’s pioneers in Canterbury She was team manager for Rangers (a founding club of Coastal Spirit) from 1976 to 1992 Fitzpatrick served as an administrator at Rangers and the Canterbury Women’s Football Association Canterbury’s women’s knockout competition began in 1974 but was renamed after Fitzpatrick in 2005 This story was first published on September 11 Sheep and beef farmers can test the profitability of cashmere goats on their farms in a project run by New Zealand Cashmere and AgFirstNZ NZC business development manager Olivia Sanders said NZC is looking for sheep and beef farmers and are curious about what cashmere can add to their business The two-year project aims to showcase the productivity profitability and environmental benefits when diversifying with cashmere goats in traditional sheep and beef systems Farmers who partake will run 100-plus does They will retain female progeny to build their own flock receive premium fibre returns and take advantage of both NZC and AgFirst’s consultancy services Farmers will receive $110-$150/kg of fibre Farms will need 30ha or more of good sheep fencing and be able to run the cashmere goats from September 2024 to 2026.  Sanders said most farms needed to diversify their income streams Farmers who add up to 10% of stock units in cashmere goats do not need to change the way they produce “You can reduce the time and money spent on chemical sprays or mechanical topping You’re basically turning those weeds into feed and turning the weeds into cash because you’re growing up cashmere.”  Research in the 1980s showed that by adding cashmere goats to a system pastures improve  and there are daily liveweight gain improvements in lambs seed heads and the fibrous tops of pastures When goats eliminate weeds they open up the pasture and expose bare ground which helps improve clover content by up to 30% Better pasture means improved liveweight gain which means farmers can get stock off land quicker “Where else do you have an opportunity to add in another livestock unit without needing to remove anything else out of your system?”  Sanders said New Zealand-grown cashmere is so highly in demand that the NZC buyer will take every gram of fibre produced locally Garbhan Coughlan tops the golden boot standings with seven goals level with Birkenhead United’s Monty Patterson and one ahead of Patterson’s teammate Daniel Bunch and Coastal Spirit’s David Yoo and Alex Steinwascher It sets up a potentially golden boot-deciding match between Tech and Birkenhead at Ngā Puna Wai on Saturday Tech are unbeaten at the ground following a draw with Coastal Spirit and Saturday’s 1-0 win over Eastern Suburbs alongside Christchurch rivals Coastal Spirit - who went down 2-1 to Birkenhead on Sunday - are out of the running to make the grand final but they could play spoilsport to their opponents Birkenhead top the table with Auckland City Canterbury United Pride were knocked out of contention in the women’s competition despite beating Central Football 2-1 on Saturday – Waterside Karori’s win over West Coast Rangers putting them out of reach The Pride needed to win and have other results go their way to finish in the top two but now the best finish they can finish is third They take on Auckland’s Western Springs at English Park at 3pm on Saturday Men: Birkenhead Utd 17; Auckland City 16; Western Springs 15; Napier CR 14; Phoenix Res 13; Wgtn Olympic 11; Coastal 11; Cash Tech 9; Eastern Suburbs 5; Western Suburbs 1Women: Auckland Utd 22; Waterside Karori 18; Eastern Suburbs 14; Canty Utd Pride 13; Western Springs 11; West Coast 11; Wgtn Utd 10; Southern Utd 8; Phoenix Res Wallpaper* takes a tour of Extreme Cashmere’s new Amsterdam store a space which reflects the label’s famed hospitality and unconventional approach to knitwear The scene has since been replicated in Paris where the knitwear brand holds its showroom each season – guests are invited to stay for food and drink served on crockery shipped from Amsterdam – as well as at its various pop-ups in St Moritz when the brand set about planning its first permanent address in Amsterdam’s Utrechtsestraat district founder Saskia Dijkstra sought to capture a similar sense of home and comfort ‘We always make every[where] home wherever we go,’ she tells Wallpaper* noting that the shop’s location is more of a ‘lifestyle area’ than a typical shopping street and our head office is a short canal-side walk away.’ (Most importantly The decision to open a store in Amsterdam was not always on the cards having focused more on international expansion in recent years ‘But then the opportunity came to us to do something closer to home,’ she explains ‘A lot of the decisions we make come from instinct combined with planning – we saw the space It was quite spontaneous.’ That said by-appointment-only store in the Amsterdam head office increasingly busy ‘We wanted to open up a little.’ As for the store’s design, Dijkstra was determined to do things differently – a reflection of Extreme Cashmere’s renegade approach. Having worked in manufacturing production for major fashion brands including Joseph and Jil Sander it was founded from a desire to create the perfect sweater though has since expanded into a colourful tube tops and muscle tees (‘no limits Everything is one size (the brand encourages you to shop instead by shape) and encourages a new generation to wear the typically bourgeois fabric through fluorescent hues and unexpected campaigns ‘To persuade women in their sixties to wear cashmere is easy but to make young people feel cool is not,’ Dijkstra previously told Wallpaper* ‘We wanted to make the most beautiful store in Amsterdam – it had to be luxury,’ she says of the space which was a collaboration between the Extreme Cashmere team and architect Hidde Dijkstra ‘But we also wanted to do things differently so from the beginning we knew there would be no rails – we want to present our products to customers ourselves That way you get drawn in by the world of Extreme Cashmere; the garments are so precious to us that we want to give the experience more time Many of the store’s design elements had come from observing shoppers at Extreme Cashmere’s pop-ups, particularly a recent New York opening ‘We picked up on how well the market stall-style way of working with products worked,’ she says ‘We had a large block in the middle of the pop-up with the products displayed flat [so we could] connect directly while the customer touched the product; we pulled out styles that we thought would fit almost like how you'd shop for fresh produce at a market so we feel taking the time to find your style and fit is really important.’ escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox that's very extreme – really leaning towards the idea of soft against hard and embracing lifestyle as a full expression of our brand,’ she says The space is completed by a ‘library’ comprising a selection of books curated by the Extreme Cashmere team (Dijkstra says it's her favourite part of the store) ‘We’re so happy to be here – it’s very satisfying,’ she says There's no direct retail references – it almost feels like a cool jazz bar you want to take your shoes off and stay there Extreme Cashmere, Utrechtsestraat 143, 1017 VM Amsterdam, Netherlands extreme-cashmere.com Fashion Features EditorJack Moss is the Fashion Features Editor at Wallpaper* Having previously been the digital features editor at AnOther and digital editor at 10 and 10 Men magazines he has also contributed to titles including i-D while also featuring in Dazed: 32 Years Confused: The Covers He is particularly interested in the moments when fashion intersects with other creative disciplines – notably art and design – as well as championing a new generation of international talent and reporting from international fashion weeks he has interviewed the fashion industry’s leading figures St Augustine's Anglican Church in Cashmere was broken into on Tuesday night Vicar Kofe Havea said a number of items were taken including four silver chalices and a large eagle lectern Havea said she arrived at the church on Wednesday to find splinters of wood on the floor and she saw the door had been kicked in "I discovered our storage cupboards which I'd kept under lock and key had been opened and our altar brassware had been taken.. all our holy communion silver vessels had disappeared too," she said A large eagle lectern at the front of the church was also missing "That really threw me because it's a hefty big heavy one for anyone to lift out of place." "All of the things that were taken were actually gifted to the church We celebrated our centennial as a parish back in October So these items would've been gifted to the church to start up St Augustine's on Cashmere Hill 100 years ago And to put a value on those items that old Police said they were notified of the burglary "Police undertook a scene examination and unfortunately there was nothing located that would help us identify the offender/s," a police spokesperson said "If anyone has information which could assist they can contact police via 105 and quote file number 250212/2871 Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111." Havea said the church was dealing with insurance which was proving difficult "There's no records of a physical value of each individual item because they were gifts "The spiritual loss that this church feels right now and the invasion of the sanctity of our God space that's what a lot of people are suffering through right now." David Shaw has been on a 35-year goat fibre journey on his sheep and beef farm in South Otago It began with 50 multi-coloured feral goats and now, through selective breeding, he runs more than 700 creamy white Hēpara Cashmere goats "Our animals today are probably producing about three times the amount of fibre than what we did when we first started," he says Shaw believes that their fine and fluffy cashmere fibre is cut out for the world's top fashion brands "It's very attractive to garment manufacturers because the cashmere fibre is exceptionally warm and light and soft for its weight," he says His does (or nanny goats) each grow around 400 grams of fleece a year averaging 16 microns (the measurement of the diameter of the fibre) hoggets produce 180 grams at around 14 microns So what would a farmer get paid now for this 14- to 16-micron cashmere fibre "Around $125 to $150 a kilo and it's basically our most profitable animal now," Shaw says Having to send the fibre overseas for processing has been a problem in the past the coarse fibre needs to be separated from the fine cashmere and it takes a pretty special machine to be able to do that successfully." Woolyarns in Wellington has come to the party The renowned yarn engineers have invested in a fibre processing plant to make an all-New Zealand cashmere supply chain a reality David says his goat herd does well to complement his sheep and cattle Goats graze from the top of the pasture down so they're really great at tidying up weeds which would otherwise have to be controlled by chemical means." Despite years of breeding work aimed at producing white David is still optimistic about the future "The hill country needs to become more profitable and find new strings to its bow and there's a huge opportunity to actually integrate goats into existing systems and capture the benefits that they can add." See terms of use for easy access to all your favourite programmes Much of the focus will be on Garrick Memorial Park for this weekend’s penultimate round of the Southern League as league leaders Cashmere Technical could win the league title for the first time since 2021 if they beat Ferrymead Bays Dan Schwarz’s men have put together a nearly flawless season so far and most will expect them to seal the title on Saturday as well as nail National League qualification as their final assignment will be Christchurch United with both the Rams and Coastal able to launch a title bid if Technical slip against Ferrymead Nomads United welcome UC Football to Tulett Park for an interesting clash with both sides enjoying some good moments this season but arriving into this fixture in poor form with the away side hoping to play party poopers and stop Cashmere winning the league title National League contenders Christchurch United and Coastal Spirit will both be getting on the plane with Spirit heading south to play the Royals while United take on Nelson Suburbs at Saxtons Fields and yet may be a bit nervous with the Royals and Suburbs both boasting decent home records over recent years It’s well established that qualification could come down to goal difference so expect the Spirit to pile on as many goals as they can like how Christchurch United did in thrashing Selwyn 9-0 Both of Saturday’s matches and the match between Nelson Suburbs and Christchurch United will be streamed live and free on FIFA+ While the league table doesn’t lie about the Coastal Spirit being head and shoulders above the Royals this season we’ve seen their resilience waver in recent defeats to Christchurch United and Wellington Olympic And it’s the Royals who have dominated this fixture in the past too with two wins and one draw in their previous Southern League matches at home to Coastal While the home side have been weaker than usual this year the pressure is still on Coastal Spirit to again prove this season they are a different team to previous years Christchurch United may have gone down by a 2-0 margin against Cashmere Technical in their English Cup semi-final but goalkeeper Steven van Dijk still made some important saves to intervene and keep them in the game at times United should be favourites in Nelson on Saturday but the hosts boast a great record in front of goal and have scored at least twice in their last eight league games I think van Dijk will be a busy man once again but if he can put in a strong shift and keep Suburbs’ attack quiet United should cruise to victory with their lively front line likely to bag a few themselves With Ferrymead Bays struggling for consistency Cameron Rean is someone who has flown under the radar this season The midfielder is his team’s highest scorer in the Southern League with nine goals including one in the defeat against Nelson Suburbs last weekend he’ll be someone Cashmere Technical will have to be wary of on Saturday I can’t see Ferrymead Bays laying a glove on Cashmere Technical at Garrick Memorial Park on Saturday The hosts are riding a formidable wave right now UC and Nomads in league action so far this month They were also victorious in English Cup action midweek booking their place in the final with an assured 2-0 win over Christchurch United I’m thinking it’ll be a 4-0 success for them against Ferrymead Coastal Spirit will hope Christchurch United drop points when they make the trip to Nelson on Sunday Suburbs are well-known for being tough at home and they took points off Spirit earlier in the season with a 3-3 draw their defence is one of the worst in the league conceding at least twice in each of their last three games I’m backing their clash to be high-scoring but Christchurch United will do just enough to keep themselves in the top two with a 3-2 victory Logan Smith is a passionate football fan and volunteer Harrison Ryburn is a Canterbury-based football writer Cashmere Technical will host the 2pm National League clash with Coastal Spirit at Ngā Puna Wai Both teams are in a congested battle to make the top two and qualify for the final But they are not far off Coastal who are on seven points and flying high in second within reach of leaders Auckland City Coastal have the wood over Tech this season – knocking them out of the Chatham Cup beating them in the Southern League and romping to a 4-0 win in the English Cup final while the first match back in April ended in a 4-4 draw But Coastal captain Joe Hoole said the form book will mean nothing when the teams step out on Sunday “People can say that we might have edged them this year Cash Tech always front up and are always hard to beat,” he said “So we’re expecting another really tough game at the weekend.” After getting dusted up 6-2 by Western Springs two weeks ago they’ve since beaten Western Suburbs 5-0 and Wellington Phoenix Reserves 3-0 on Saturday Striker Alex Steinwascher scored a hat-trick in the latter victory and Hoole said he and the rest of the team are hitting form at the right time A few people have been questioning whether he could do it at the National League (level) and I’m sure there’ll be plenty more goals to come from him.” “I think we just need to commit more numbers forward We’ve been slow and on the back foot when we played them previously.” Schwarz is hoping for a bumper crowd with Tech looking to get back to winning ways after draws with Auckland City and Wellington Olympic in their last two matches The surface will be great and I’m hoping there will be some good numbers coming down to the game to support both teams and a lot of Canterbury football people in attendance to watch an exciting spectacle.” Canterbury United Pride will be in action at noon on Saturday at English Park against Auckland United The two teams sit in third and second respectively on the ladder level on points with leaders Waterside Karori but separated by points differential The Pride came from behind to beat Southern United 2-1 in Dunedin on Sunday to keep pace with their title rivals We're a group of fans who support football in New Zealand We work to protect the heritage of the game in New Zealand Our All Stars teams play exhibition games against schools to inspire young players We foster friendship through regular events for members Tech went down 2-0 to Coastal Spirit last Saturday – the first time they’d been held scoreless in a Southern League match since July 2021 Head coach Dan Schwarz said his side weren’t too disappointed following the defeat – with Tech still leading the way in the Southern League “We’re still where we need to be – at the top We’ve still got everything in our own hands and we’re still very happy with where we’re positioned.” with Christchurch United – who needed a late goal to beat Universities on Sunday – a further three points back The top two sides at the end of the season qualify for the National League This weekend’s matches see opportunities for the teams in the top half of the table to pull clear Tech visit Selwyn on Saturday while Christchurch United are playing away against Dunedin City Royals and winless FC Twenty 11 play host to Ferrymead Bays Universities visit Nelson Suburbs and Coastal Points: Cash Tech 31; Coastal 30; Chch Utd 27; Nelson 20; Bays 19; Nomads 17; Dunedin 13; Selwyn 8; Uni 7; FC Twenty 0            Picture: Phototek The action in pictures from today's 1 - 1 draw with Cashmere Technical GALLERY Saturday 10 May 2025, v Eastern Suburbs, Madills Farm, kick-off: 3.00pm NZST Harcourts salesperson Cameron Bailey told OneRoof the 4036sqm property on Dyers Road noting that similar-sized homes near the city centre would be worth at least double that The late owners purchased the grand four-bedroom home in 2013 for $4.8m Bailey said the current asking price reflected market feedback OneRoof data shows the most expensive sale in Cashmere since 2020 was a property on a 1159sqm section on Rossmore Terrace that sold for $2.95m in December 2021 which was designed by Trengrove and Blunt Architects in 2006 would suit a large or extended family who wanted their own park It also boasted impressive views of the city and the Southern Alps - Paul Henry and Diane Foreman selling their mansion - 'you'll have to be rich' - Revealed: The renovations that can add $400,000 to the value of a home - The trophy home where you can hunt wild deer from the deck - ‘I shot three in one night’ Bailey said the house wasn’t a development opportunity – “it is too good for that” – but noted it was rare to find such large properties spread over three titles in Christchurch There could be potential to subdivide some of the land or build a house on the front 680sqm section Bailey said Cashmere had bounced back in value and popularity after the earthquakes “I think that even in the last few years we’ve seen some growth in Cashmere even when the [overall] market has [dropped] Cashmere is still one of the best-value suburbs in town,” he said It also has popular schooling and a great vibe The rare 790sqm home has a media room plus its own summer house The park-like section is spread over three titles Bayleys agent Julia Ashmore, who is taking a five-bedroom home in the suburb to auction next week told OneRoof she often described Cashmere as the “Fendalton of the Hill” a nod to the wealthy suburb in the central city She said it was more affordable than Fendalton but the schooling appeared to be just as sought-after “I hear people talk about Cashmere High being on par with Christchurch Girls High and Boys High – those tend to be the three.” Higher value homes in Cashmere tended to be higher up the hill and had better views “Some might only have a city view and some might just have the Southern Alps People are drawn to Cashmere for its impressive outlook which can include views of the city and the Southern Alps “People who like that side of town start at the bottom and then aspire to moving up the hill and then when they want to downsize I see a progression up and then a progression down,” she said “There’s also some quite modest homes up on Cashmere which keeps the market buoyant and keeps the people diverse.” She said farmers and people living on lifestyle blocks were increasingly drawn to Cashmere because it gave them the feeling of space without all the work Demand was high for properties with drive-on access and a flat lawn “They want the view but not at the expense of no outdoor living.” She said her listing at 12 Harry Ell Drive, in Cashmere, ticked all those boxes - Click here to find more properties for sale in Cashmere I don't know exactly how many golf apparel products I've tested but I'm certain this is the best top I've tried I cannot stress enough how much I love this golf hoodie and the cashmere fabric requires vigilant maintenance amazing comfort and a smart aesthetic make this Sun Day Red Hoodie the perfect golf top Can be tricky to maintain but it is worth it For those of you unaware, Sun Day Red is a collaborative brand between TaylorMade and Woods with the 15-time Major winner spearheading the brand after his split with Nike towards the tail-end of 2023 some truly stunning shoes and also a wide collection of apparel for both men and women Now after getting some hands-on time with the product I can categorically say that Sun Day Red clothing is some of the highest quality garments I have ever felt and tried on and one particular top has become my absolute favorite The hoodie is available in 11 colors and sizing goes from small to 2XL and it is worth saying the fit is true to size One other thing worth noting is this top is hand wash only because the cashmere fabric needs to be looked after to ensure longevity Well when I took the hoodie out of its packaging it immediately became clear to me how high-quality it is The 100% cashmere fabric construction was so soft and actually drew an audible gasp from my partner She went so far as to ask if she could have the hoodie but no way was I going to agree to that It doesn't feel bulky and it retains its shape nicely and again I am not sure I have the vocabulary to explain just how soft the cashmere is here (Image credit: Sun Day Red)(Image credit: sun day red)As mentioned above there are 11 lovely colors to choose from I tested the navy but have my eye on the Frost Grey/Pale Blue finishes and speaking more generally on the aesthetic it is smart and works very well off the golf course too I have worn this into the office a number of times for example Now the elephant in the room here is the price the hoodie is at the premium end of the spectrum but this is all relative But what cannot be ignored here is for that price you get an ultra-premium product that feels worth every penny in my opinion I will say if you want some more hoodie options at different price points, then check out our best golf hoodies buying guide where I have covered every base Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts This takes the form of creating and updating Buying Guides and finding bargain prices for deals content Working with golf gear and equipment over the last seven years Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for Additionally Sam oversees Golf Monthly voucher/coupon content which seeks to find you the best offers and promotions from well-known brands like Callaway Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a single-figure handicap you will then be prompted to enter your display name .prefix__st0{fill:#333}AccessAccount If you’re looking for an antidote to fast trends this winter, cashmere is the pinnacle of quiet luxury dressing. In partnership with Uniqlo, here’s how to get your hands on this cosy, breathable fibre – at the right price. breathable natural fibre is a classic capturing the zeitgeist yet again Cashmere isn’t called the “jewel of fibres” for no reason flexible textile that is a favourite among fashion’s elite But while 100 per cent cashmere pieces usually command a significant price there are plenty of excellent alternatives that won’t break the bank – without compromising on quality We take a look at some of the best affordable cashmere pieces on offer this winter – and which ones we think will stand the test of the endless trend cycles You can’t go wrong with a classic crew sweater in winter it’s an easy choice that’s casual when paired with sneakers but can also elevate when thrown over a silky slip This Uniqlo cashmere crew-neck sweater is an excellent affordable alternative for 100 per cent cashmere this winter and in 20 different shades to deliver a twist on your regular dressing routine luxury isn’t loud – but that doesn’t mean it needs to be boring While Steve McQueen put the turtleneck on the map for stylish men everywhere back in the ’60s, we’ve seen a resurgence of the classic style on the red carpet of late – Tom Holland loves his turtlenecks so much, he inspired an entire op-ed about them The cashmere V-neck is last on the list – but by no means the least. We’ve been seeing this style popping up on luxury runways in Milan of late as the fashion set looks to quirky layering to bring a touch of personal style to tired trend tropes This soft and cosy cashmere V-neck in 11 different colours will fill the gaps in the line-up of any capsule wardrobe it’s a steal for 100 per cent of the good stuff This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Uniqlo Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Uniqlo Learn more about partner content on Broadsheet Where Stylists Shop: How To Choose Your Next Jacket or Coat for Winter How Often Should You Actually Be Washing Your Clothes The action in pictures from today's 1 - 1 draw with Cashmere Technical The Good Cashmere Conference 2025 held in Germany’s Hamburg brought together experts from the global cashmere and textile sectors to discuss sustainable production Representatives from international non-governmental organisations (NGO) and researchers exchanged insights on advancements and triumphs in the sustainable cashmere production at the recent Good Cashmere event centred on advanced technological applications and effective strategies to safeguard animal wellbeing all aimed at paving the path for a more sustainable cashmere industry Aid by Trade Foundation founder and Otto Group supervisory board honorary chairman professor Dr Michael Otto said: “Sustainability is a licence to operate The Good Cashmere Standard is not merely a set of rules and criteria; it is a commitment to a better future for the cashmere industry.” Key topics at the conference included the deployment of virtual reality tools scientifically grounded approaches developed through partnerships with herders to protect both animal welfare and biodiversity as well as efforts to ensure traceability throughout the supply chain The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS) has become one of the most extensive standards in operation with over 50 international fashion brands and companies such as H&M and The White Company incorporating GCS-verified cashmere fibres into their products The percentage of textiles bearing the GCS label rose by 30% between 2023 and 2024 Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis experts in animal welfare underscored during discussions the critical role that positive treatment within animal husbandry frameworks plays for maintaining both ethically sound and financially viable goat rearing practices The Good Cashmere Standard has been lauded for its progressive approach and effective farm-level implementation By transforming scientific research into practical agricultural applications through training programmes it sets an example for responsible cashmere production Recent verification results show that GCS farms meet core indicators and environmental requirements completely while social and animal welfare standards have been met with over 90% compliance The conference also addressed biodiversity conservation in Inner Mongolia’s grasslands which is home to approximately 5,500 GCS farms and 2m cashmere goats which face threats from droughts and other climate-induced challenges and Chinese producers concurred on the need to protect these grasslands for the future of cashmere production Emphasis was also placed on collaborative efforts throughout the textile supply chain as well as modern grazing practices and knowledge management among herders Exploring how to perpetuate GCS cashmere’s success story led to discussions on innovative solutions like virtual reality goggles and blockchain technology for traceability within the supply chain “The future of cashmere rests squarely on our collective ability to cultivate a truly sustainable legacy,” Otto stated The White Company ethics & sustainability manager Alex Barnett said: “It was great to connect with experts in the field of responsible cashmere production at this year’s conference the conference combined animal welfare and environmental stewardship providing valuable insights into the future of cashmere production The White Company remains committed to responsible cashmere production supporting the livelihoods of herders.” In February this year, GCS opened its third model farm in Inner Mongolia, China to bolster sustainable practices within the cashmere industry Nominations are now open for the prestigious Just Style Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation This is your chance to showcase your achievements Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network. 2025Photo: Amit IsraeliSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links We know that cashmere can have a large environmental impact—which is why it’s extra important that we look after our luxurious knits to ensure they stand the test of time But how exactly should we be washing our cashmere And what are the best ways to look after our jumpers long-term Vogue speaks to the experts for their top tips on how to wash and care for our cashmere While many of us are nervous about machine washing cashmere, lest it shrinks, Oyuna Tserendorj, founder of London-based cashmere brand Oyuna “Cashmere can definitely be washed in a washing machine on a wool setting at 30 degrees,” she says although she suggests that you don’t put your most expensive cashmere pieces in the wash right away “If you’re new to machine washing cashmere as washing machine settings can vary.” Instead of using regular detergent noting that you don’t need to buy special cashmere products “I then pop the piece into the machine on a spin cycle to take out most of the moisture but this can also be done by gently wringing the water out.” While Tserendorj leaves her cashmere pieces on a drying rack adding: “You don’t want to leave it lying out of shape soaking wet for too long Another dilemma is whether to hand wash or dry clean our cashmere Gaffney says that washing can actually increase the softness of our cashmere garments over their lifetime he notes that “woven fabric needs to be dry cleaned,” while dry cleaning is also recommended “for some special heavier pieces This is down to personal preference: some experts say twice a season while others suggest every three or four wears You probably don’t need to wash your cashmere as much as you think you do so it loves sunlight and fresh air,” Tserendorj says To ensure your cashmere lasts, it’s of course crucial to store your pieces properly to keep the moths at bay. Before putting them away, Tserendorj recommends washing to remove any food remnants or strong perfume from your garments. “Then put away in a cloth bag, ideally with a cedar block,” the expert continues. “If you discover moths, put your garment in the freezer for 48 hours, which should kill the moths, and then wash as above and store away.” It turns out that Dijkstra is as evangelical about washing instructions as her customers are about her lushly loomed cashmere sweaters, dresses, pants and more. In partnership with the high-end German appliance brand Miele, she has launched a crusade to wash away what she sees as a stigma that blights cashmere as a high-maintenance material: dry-clean only. In partnership with the high-end German appliance brand Miele, she has launched a crusade to wash away what she sees as a stigma that blights cashmere as a high-maintenance material: dry-clean only. “Cashmere loves water,” corrected Dijkstra as she walked Vogue Runway through her “spa.” She added: “I want everyone to look after their sweaters. But people don’t dare wash them in water. The whole idea of Extreme Cashmere is that it is the best sweater, the best quality. So what I can do is show everybody how to wash their sweaters so they stay nice.” Six pink Miele machines (a special Extreme Cashmere edition) were embedded in the wall of her “spa” space as they gently churned and turned their precious cashmere cargo. Around a raised platform on which her sweaters had been put out to dry—laid flat, crucially—“spa” assistants were demonstrating how to iron cashmere (on a low heat, with a thin layer of cotton between the iron and cashmere) as well how to best use machines to remove any pilling. Six pink Miele machines (a special Extreme Cashmere edition) were embedded in the wall of her “spa” space as they gently churned and turned their precious cashmere cargo. This was getting way too technical for me. So after a conversation about moths (Dijkstra insists that samples are placed in a moth-purging heated chamber before being washed on return to Extreme Cashmere’s mothless HQ), I headed off wearing my trusty double-faced cashmere Cucinelli jacket, which in retrospect I really should have dropped off for quick spin. The Extreme Cashmere x Miele Cashmere Spa is open until March 8, 2025 at 36 rue Chevert, Paris 75007. By Zoe Vanderweide Zoe Vanderweide is a writer focused on style and accessories Incomparably soft and wonderfully indulgent a great cashmere sweater is a welcome and worthy addition to any wardrobe It’s also an investment—so finding one that looks great and will last a long time is especially important this well-priced classic crewneck is the perfect entry point into the world of cashmere it’s available in a wide variety of colors and sizes With a soft feel and form-fitting yet comfortable fit But its reasonable price tag is far from the only draw: This light-to-medium-weight crewneck also has a classic a fit that’s slim and flattering without being clingy you can personalize your sweater with a custom monogram of up to four characters The Original sweater’s material feels pricier than it is: supple and smooth chemically treated texture of some other lower-priced cashmere we tested with some slight fuzziness and enough density to keep out a chilly breeze the Original sweater was warm enough on its own for a walk around New York City; in the deep of winter it’s perfect as a non-bulky extra layer beneath a coat It has a classic fit that’s slim but not tight This is a simple and timeless crewneck; though its silhouette is long and slim it still has plenty of room for you to comfortably layer a shirt under it Our female and male testers both appreciated that the Original sweater was slightly slouchy without being sloppy Whereas most lower-priced cashmere is rife with cut corners the Original sweater’s quality rivals that of sweaters costing twice as much It has fully fashioned marks at the shoulders—small rows of upraised reinforcements—indicating that the garment has been constructed in a higher-quality (and more labor-intensive) way than simple cutting and sewing which also bodes well for this sweater’s longevity The cashmere quality is remarkably good. The Original sweater is made from fine, long-fiber Grade A cashmere, with a 12-gauge knit and two-ply yarn. It’s combed from the coats of Zalaa Jinst white goats in Mongolia a breed prized for its light but warm cashmere fiber The brand’s transparency about the source of its cashmere is refreshing for a sweater at this price Sizes: men’s XXS to XXL; women’s XXS to XXL and its long ribbed cuffs and collar make it extra cozy though—the largest is an XL—and it goes out of stock often keeping out the cold with its slightly slouchy turtleneck and deliciously soft knit And while we’d expect to pay a pretty penny for this combination of quality the Emma sweater is surprisingly well priced at around $200 The Emma sweater’s Grade A Mongolian cashmere feels supple and high-end reasonably priced cashmere sweaters we tried that seemed artificially smooth likely because they were treated with chemical softeners but ours settled into a smooth finish after a couple of wears It’s extra toasty. The Emma sweater is made with a seven-gauge knit, and it’s thicker and warmer than many others that we tried Its turtleneck offers the ultimate in coziness: You can unroll it up to the chin for extra coverage or double it over to protect against the chill Whereas some turtlenecks can feel restrictive This is a thoughtfully constructed sweater, with raglan sleeves (which are attached to the body diagonally) creating a smooth fit at the shoulder. And because the sleeves are fully fashioned—meaning that the pieces are knit They look great whether you leave them down or push them up You can buy this sweater with an Italic membership—or not. When we first tested the Emma sweater, Italic’s business model required customers to have a paid membership to shop. Now the membership is optional. If you do decide to sign up which gives you $60 in annual merchandise credit—$15 immediately and then another $15 every three months—free shipping and returns This thick and warm men’s sweater offers the comfort of cashmere plus the extra durability of 5% wool though it isn’t quite as polished as some of our other picks This medium-weight sweater’s classic fit and unusual durability—it contains 5% wool for added strength—make it feel less precious than our other picks It’s the one we’d toss into a backpack for a weeklong trip abroad or layer under a ski jacket for snowy adventures It’s especially durable. Unlike our other, all-cashmere picks, this sweater is made from 95% recycled cashmere—spun from pre-consumer cashmere scraps sourced from European factories, so it has a lower ecological impact than virgin cashmere—and 5% wool While cashmere is undoubtedly a softer material wool is both thicker and more naturally elastic slightly fuzzy knit that feels far more indulgent than wool alone—without any hint of itch—but hardier than 100% cashmere resilient fabric seems less likely to tear or stretch over time compared with that of the other sweaters we tested fully fashioned sleeves also bode well for its longevity the comfortably snug ribbed collar still looked good as new even with our tester’s (rather large) head repeatedly popping through It seals in warmth. The seven-gauge, two-ply knit of the Recycled Cashmere Crewneck did a great job of retaining body heat when we wore it on what passes for a cold autumn morning in Southern California; it’s ideal for layering while you’re exploring a city We were especially thankful for the sturdy This is a classic crewneck-style sweater—not too tight with plenty of room for the wearer to move freely and enough leeway to accommodate broad shoulders and an athletic build The sleeves of a size medium hit just past the wrists of our 5-foot-9 male tester but the cuffs are long enough to roll up if necessary We also like the sweater’s snug but comfortable ribbed neck Though this sweater skews more casual than our other picks it still looks put together: It would be just as well suited for a nice evening out as it would for a brisk hike This stylish women’s cashmere sweater has a satisfying ribbed texture and beautiful knit detailing with a dropped shoulder and slightly cropped length—just be aware that the extra-long sleeves may need to be rolled up was released after this guide was published; we have not yet tested it.) With its chic this slightly cropped crew has an easygoing elegance luxurious cashmere and durable construction will last for many years to come it comes in lots of solid colors as well as striped options to suit a variety of tastes Like our Naadam cashmere pick the Mini sweater can be personalized; for an additional $40 La Ligne will monogram up to three initials on the lower left sleeve slightly cropped shape is effortlessly chic The Mini sweater has a dropped shoulder and unusually long arms; the body of the sweater is a bit cropped measuring 19 inches in length for a size XXS and 21.5 inches for a size XL The effect is easy and casually elegant—think Parisian girl style—the kind of sweater that looks just as great with beat-up jeans and sneakers as it does with a silk skirt and heels the Mini sweater’s lower hem hit right around the waist; she found the size small “just right.” The long sleeves covered her hands but they’re easy to roll up—the hefty knit keeps them securely in place—and we thought the cuffed sleeves worked with the sweater’s unforced vibe It’s warm, luxurious, and substantial. This thick, ribbed sweater is perfectly soft against the skin, without any itch whatsoever. It’s also one of our warmest picks: It has a seven-gauge, two-ply  construction and a chunkier knit But it’s not too bulky; you can still layer it comfortably under a coat The Mini sweater’s substantial knit is resilient and springy; we saw no hint of stretching or unraveling at the collar fully fashioned shoulder seams—which show that the pieces of the sweater have been knit together—are both an eye-catching design detail and a sign of lasting Because it’s so well-made, it may be possible to find great deals on pre-owned versions of this sweater that are still in beautiful condition: We spotted one for over 60 percent off on La Ligne’s online resale marketplace, Re-Ligne this airy and delicate open-front cashmere cardigan offers a layer of warmth without the weight It comes in one of the most limited size ranges (women’s XS to XL) of our picks and open in the front—is a stylish option that feels nearly weightless it was one of the sweaters we reached for most often—the sort of piece you might throw on “just in case” before heading out the door Since the knit of this sweater is so airy and delicate it is important to treat this sweater with care The Trapeze Cardigan is light enough to wear in all seasons it adds a breathable layer of warmth; in the chillier months it’s perfect under a coat or jacket and won’t add bulk open-front cut that cascades beautifully down the body it’s likely to land around your mid-thigh.) The shawl collar feels breezy and elegant and the close-fitting sleeves keep the sweater from looking too voluminous the Trapeze Cardigan comes in a limited size range (women’s XS to XL only) And if you’re planning to wear it over long-sleeve tops It’s beautifully finished. The Trapeze Cardigan is well-made, with high-quality details. Fully fashioned marks—small upraised marks along a knitted seam—reinforce the shoulders And the shawl collar and front opening are beautifully finished The bottom hem and cuffs are also finished well If you want cashmere with a big dose of personality this soft and sumptuous unisex sweater fits the bill The styles are limited edition—the snake design we tested is no longer available—but you have plenty of delightful graphics to choose from Of all the sweaters we tested for this guide this one—boldly emblazoned with an unexpected limited-edition graphic design right on the front—received the most attention and compliments at $575.) But for someone with an appetite and a budget that extends beyond the basics luxurious medium-weight cashmere and standout style could be a worthy indulgence It’s cozy and soft. The Leret Leret crewneck feels like a favorite childhood blanket: immediately warm, soft, and comforting. The smooth, refined 12-gauge, two-ply knit insulates without adding bulk substantial ribbing around the cuffs seals in body heat and keeps cold air from creeping in It’s warm enough to wear on a 55-degree day with just a T-shirt underneath; in colder weather The cashmere is exceptional. Leret Leret’s Grade A cashmere is combed and hand-sheared from the hardy Capra hircus goats of the Mongolian Gobi desert. (These are the same goats that provide the material for high-end cashmere specialist Loro Piana—which partly explains this sweater’s hefty price tag.) It feels appropriately luxe: sumptuous and soft fine knit that snaps back effortlessly when stretched And its fully fashioned construction—with seams that are knitted together rather than cut and sewn—adds to its durability and finished look This crewneck sweater is a unisex style with a long easy silhouette and a little more leeway in the torso check your measurements carefully against Leret Leret’s size chart; if you fall between two sizes There are a dizzying number of cashmere sweaters out there we interviewed designers and industry experts and spent hours reading reviews and scrolling through fashion sites Because cashmere sweaters can get eye-wateringly expensive, we decided to set a price cap of $500 per sweater. Every sweater we considered was 100% cashmere, except for one, which contained 5% wool We judged each sweater based on the following: strongest cashmere yarns are spun from the longest Brands don’t usually disclose their fiber length and diameter but we’ve found that touching the fabric offers some clues if a sweater feels supernaturally soft—especially if it leaves a slippery residue on your fingers—it has likely been overwashed or chemically softened Warmth and weight: Cashmere is prized for its exceptional warmth We sought out sweaters in different weights that would be comfortable in a variety of climates We also considered two knitwear-specific specs: ply and gauge Ply refers to the number of threads twisted together to make a yarn; higher ply translates to greater warmth and durability Gauge refers to the number of stitches per inch Higher-gauge sweaters have a tighter knit; since they often use finer yarn Lower-gauge sweaters typically have a chunkier texture and a heavier weight We focused on cashmere sweaters made to seven-gauge and 12-gauge specifications Style: We sought out stylish sweaters with comfortable we also took note of compelling design details such as interesting cuts Most of our picks are available in a wide variety of colors and sizes though some fashion brands offer disappointingly limited sizing Construction: We inspected each sweater for solid seams—no loose threads, please—and sturdy ribbing at the cuffs, collars, and hems. We also checked for fully fashioned marks upraised reinforcements (often made along the shoulders or where the arms meet the body) show that the garment was knit together Durability: We gently pulled on the arm of each sweater hoping for knits that quickly bounced back to their original shape rather than stretching or warping noting the amount of fuzz sticking up from the surface; more fuzz indicates shorter fibers While all cashmere pills eventually, the severity depends on its quality, as well as how diligent you are about caring for your sweater We firmly rubbed the arm of each sweater to see if it pilled—immediate pilling is a sign that it likely won’t last more than a few seasons Cashmere comes from the ultra-soft undercoats of select species of alpine goats Its quality and cost mainly boil down to the length and fineness of the fibers and the skill and precision required to collect it Much of the best cashmere for sweaters comes from Mongolia and Inner Mongolia with coarse wool on top and a dense cloud of extremely fine The most expensive and desirable cashmere is meticulously hand-combed or carefully sheared in the spring when the goats naturally shed their winter coats Skilled producers are capable of retaining the longest which can be more tightly woven into smoother the makers of most inexpensive cashmere sweaters use yarn spun from coarser which means they probably won’t last as long But even some higher-priced fashion brands have been known to use this low-quality cashmere so you can’t always rely on price alone as an indicator of quality delivers shockingly good quality for the price We love the sweater’s whisper-soft feel and flattering shape—with snug ribbing at the lower hem—and appreciate its reinforced construction as it has fully fashioned marks at the shoulder adding 20 percent more cashmere (and more long fibers) to the knit and it does indeed feel more substantial and luxe This sweater is available in women’s sizes XS to 3X and in men’s sizes S to XXL This is not an exhaustive list of everything that we tested even knit and fully fashioned marks at the shoulder the quality of Uniqlo’s cashmere has been inconsistent from year to year; the sweater we tested in 2023 was itchy with high-quality reinforced ribbing around the neck and cuffs this sweater was on final sale and stock was limited.) it’s also structureless and borderline mushy and ours arrived with a few sections already pilling made by one of the last remaining Scottish cashmere mills is intended to soften with wear and last a lifetime but its traditional crewneck style didn’t seem special enough to justify the over-$400 price tag This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter Gregory Han wrote an earlier version of this article Nadia Monosova, director of product development and technical design, Amicale Cashmere Timothy Leung, pattern maker, Rag & Bone Lisa Pomerantz, luxury branding executive, LFP Collective plus gear and tips for wardrobe maintenance The guides I’ve written include those for women’s jeans We pitted four under-$100 cashmere sweaters against each other—and emerged with one soft Figuring out what to get rid of is just the beginning We tapped experts and researched recycling programs to find reasonable ways to offload your clothes Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice we’ll help you get it right (the first time)