Meet Carmen Smith – A lifetime of experience, driven by a passion for wool

Born and raised in Gisborne, Carmen began her career in farming straight out of school, choosing a path that was uncommon for young women at the time. With no farming background, she forged her own way, embracing the belief that anything is possible and refusing to let obstacles stand in her way.

Her passion for wool began in her early twenties when she took up shearing and wool handling, travelling throughout New Zealand and the United Kingdom before settling in Western Australia, where she gained her Wool Classing qualification and developed a strong appreciation for fine wool.

After returning to New Zealand, Carmen and her partner managed a Māori cooperative farm station on the East Coast before going on to own and operate successful farming enterprises in the Pongaroa and Waipukurau districts while raising their four children. Throughout this time, Carmen remained actively involved in the wool industry, continuing to shear and wool handle across both regions.

More recently, Carmen helped develop WOMOLife, a training and education programme for the wool harvesting industry. The role allowed her to mentor and inspire others while sharing the knowledge and skills she has built throughout her career.

With Māori whakapapa, Carmen also holds a governance role with Aramatua Station in Nūhaka, where she combines modern farming practices with te ao Māori values and kaitiakitanga to help guide a successful agribusiness.

Now a Wool Representative with PGW Wool, Carmen is passionate about supporting New Zealand's sheep farmers and delivering the best outcomes for growers across Hawke's Bay. She enjoys working alongside the wider PGW team to provide clients with a complete on-farm service and values the strong relationships she builds with growers.

Outside of work, Carmen loves spending time outdoors, gardening, and has recently taken up motorbike riding. 

Contact Carmen for practical advice and support backed by decades of hands-on experience in farming, wool harvesting and wool classing.