New Zealand sheep are mostly raised for both meat and wool. The New Zealand Romney is by far the most common breed, making up about 58 percent of the total flock. The New Zealand Romney is descended from the English Romney breed introduced to New Zealand in 1853. The Romney and related breeds, including the Coopworth and the Perendale, produce Crossbred wool suitable for interior textile use, particularly carpets and rugs. The Merino was the first sheep breed introduced to New Zealand and the dominant breed until the late 19th Century.
Merino sheep produce fine wool suitable for use in apparel.
The Halfbred and Corriedale were developed by crossbreeding the Merino with one or other of the strong wool breeds. Their wool is also used in apparel. New Zealand wool types reflect the different sheep breeds. Some sheep have coarse strong wool meaning that each wool fibre is thick. The diameter of wool fibre is measured in microns.