Craig Smith - Devold's Wool Guy

08/09/2026

10/08/2026

Can’t wait to tell you more about our partnership with The Mackenzie Bike Race for 2027……watch this space!

The Mackenzie
Devold New Zealand

09/08/2026

Great four days classing at Closeburn.

Massive thank you to the entire team, you’re all wonderful people who I now call friends.

03/07/2026

2026 Pre-lamb shearing is underway! 🐑🥳

29/06/2026

Devold New Zealand releases 2027-2030 grower contract prices.

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/news/devold-blazes-trail-with-four-year-contracts/

13/05/2026

The things I get myself into!

One moment I am in Japan selling wool……the next I am part of a sushi restaurant promo!

30/04/2026

Crutching time at The Wolds today, in the Mackenzie Basin.

Sheep are crutched to remove wool from around the tail, back legs and belly area, and face.

This helps keep the sheep cleaner, more comfortable and healthier, especially before lambing or during fly-risk seasons.

Crutching also makes shearing easier later on and helps protect the wool quality by keeping the fleece cleaner.

16/04/2026

Devold New Zealand have sponsored the The Mackenzie Bike Race for three consecutive years now, but this year was the most special yet, because I got to ride it myself.

What a race. The scenery is simply next level - alpine views, lake backdrops and the privilege of riding through incredible private stations. The atmosphere, the energy, and the people make it something truly special.

But more than anything, this event is what it is because of Kerry Uren and her amazing race team. The heart, passion, and sheer hard work behind the scenes is what makes such an outstanding event.

Safe to say, from the constant grin on my face… I absolutely loved every minute of it.

11/04/2026

What an epic day at The Mackenzie race yesterday.

Lake Tekapo put on an absolute cracker once again - stunning alpine scenery, magic lake views, and incredible weather to top it all off.

And what a turnout across the races:
🚴 27 in The Drover MTB - 170km
🚴 23 in The Drover Gravel - 170km
🚴 274 in The Muster - 92km
🚴 73 in The Shepherd - 77km
🚴 78 in the Social Shepherd - 77km
🚴 64 in The Merino - 34km
🚴 7 in The Merino E-Bike - 34km
That is 546 riders across the day.

With 92% of the merino wool from the Mackenzie Basin going into Devold garments, it was an awesome feeling to be out there on the hills yesterday riding the Social Shepherd wearing 100% Devold merino performance clothing.

Big ups to Kerry for putting on another awesome and challenging bike race.
And a big thank you to the whole race team alongside her - without you all, the event simply would not happen.

What an absolute privilege for Devold New Zealand to sponsor again this year.

10/04/2026

Good luck to all the competitors out on the course today at The Mackenzie, sponsored by Devold.

It was a 6am kick off for all the competitors riding the The Drover - an epic 170km challenge from Lake Tekapo to Lake Pukaki and back around Lake Tekapo, across private station access, river crossings and unreal alpine scenery.

To follow will be the:
The Muster – 92km
The Shepherd – 77km
The Merino – 34km

It’s a 7:30am ride out for me in the Social Shepherd, the 77km course - but this one’s not about competition, it’s about getting out there, getting stuck in and just having some good fun with mates surrounded by absolutely stunning country and scenery.

See you all at the finish line!