Palle Petersen is the General Manager of Bloch & Behrens NZ, the international export arm of PGG Wrightson Wool. With a career spanning more than three decades in the wool trade, Palle brings global experience, deep industry insight, and a strong commitment to connecting New Zealand wool growers with high-value international markets.

Originally from Denmark, Palle began his career with Danish wool trading company Bloch & Behrens, working first in Germany before moving to New Zealand in 1988 — a one-way journey that would shape the rest of his life and career. He married Rachel in 1991 and has remained in New Zealand ever since.

In the late 1990s, faced with the planned closure of Bloch & Behrens NZ, Palle saw an opportunity to rebuild rather than wind down. In partnership with the Woodham family of Ashburton, he revitalised the business and re-established global customer relationships — ultimately proving that the New Zealand arm still had a valuable role to play. In 2008, Bloch & Behrens NZ was acquired by PGG Wrightson, forming a strong fit as the company’s wool export division.

Under Palle’s leadership, Bloch & Behrens has evolved from a traditional commodity trader to a business focused on quality, traceability, and sustainability. He was instrumental in the development of the Wool Integrity NZ™ brand and has led initiatives to grow niche markets, including Certified Organic New Zealand crossbred wool — which now earns growers significantly higher premiums due to the close partnerships and aligned values between grower and customer.

Palle also serves as Denmark’s Honorary Consul in Christchurch, a role he has held since 2012. His service to Denmark was recognised with a Ridder of Dannebrog knighthood, awarded by the Danish monarchy for his contributions to the Danish community in New Zealand.

He and his wife Rachel live on a lifestyle property in Price’s Valley on Banks Peninsula, and are proud parents to three adult daughters: Emma, Sophie and Pia, and the recent edition of their first grandchild Louis.