2015 Media Coverage
The NZ Farmers Weekly | May 2015
One of Japan's three top suit makers, Konaka, has more than 450 retail stores there and was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Konaka CEO Kensuke Konaka ... was in NZ last week with the company's top salespeople to meet the growers producing the fine-micron wool for the Real Navy Suit Collection.
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/17078129#/17078129/22
Otago Daily Times | May 2015
Japanese suit maker Konaka Co. flew its top 20 salespeople of fine wool suits to Closeburn Station to see how and where they are grown in New Zealand.
http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/342144/suit-sellers-see-where-it-all-starts
NZ Farmer Magazine | May 2015
An exclusive contract to supply leading Japanese fine-wool suit manufacturer with ultra-fine merino wool has proven to be a crucial business move for Maniototo farmer Tony Clarke of Closeburn Stn.
http://www.nzfarmerdigital.co.nz/?iid=119595#folio=10
Stuff news website | May 2015
Media coverage of Konaka Co Ltd Japanese Sales Team & Senior Delegates visiting Closeburn Station.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/sheep/68576132/from-the-sales-floor-to-the-farm
The NZ Farmers Weekly | May 2015
One of Japan's three top suit makers, Konaka, has more than 450 retail stores there and was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Konaka CEO Kensuke Konaka ... was in NZ last week with the company's top salespeople to meet the growers producing the fine-micron wool for the Real Navy Suit Collection.
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/17078129#/17078129/22
Otago Daily Times | May 2015
Japanese suit maker Konaka Co. flew its top 20 salespeople of fine wool suits to Closeburn Station to see how and where they are grown in New Zealand.
http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/342144/suit-sellers-see-where-it-all-starts
NZ Farmer Magazine | May 2015
An exclusive contract to supply leading Japanese fine-wool suit manufacturer with ultra-fine merino wool has proven to be a crucial business move for Maniototo farmer Tony Clarke of Closeburn Stn.
http://www.nzfarmerdigital.co.nz/?iid=119595#folio=10
Stuff news website | May 2015
Media coverage of Konaka Co Ltd Japanese Sales Team & Senior Delegates visiting Closeburn Station.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/sheep/68576132/from-the-sales-floor-to-the-farm
Past Media Coverage
Radio NZ press release| August 2012
Wool deal expected to lead to bigger things: Craig Smith of H Dawson arranged the first trial shipment of 15 micron wool from Closeburn Station to Konaka company in Japan for a new range of coats.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/112599/japanese-wool-deal-expected-to-lead-to-bigger-things
Otago Daily Times | August 2012
Tony Clarke and Rebecca Crawford, with their children Anna (10) and Hayden (7), were photographed yesterday by Go Sugimoto, helped by Yuki Ito and Yohei Kakinuma, for a marketing campaign in Japan.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/business/220650/nz-connection-suits-japanese-fine
Otago Daily Times | April 2012
Konaka Co Ltd chief executive Kensuke Konaka with technical adviser Mitsuo Hori, and Kento Nagao from wool trading company Nagao Shoji, visit Closeburn Station.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/farming/204482/fine-deal-merino-farmer
Radio NZ National podcast interview | April 2012
Tony and Rebecca Clarke, of Closeburn Station, have sent their first shipment of merino wool to a Japanese corporate-wear manufacturer and retailer, Konaka Co. The ultra-fine 15-micron wool they are supplying will be used to replace cashmere in a new range of winter garments. The deal came about because of Tony's mad keen interest in karate.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/audio/2516435/karate-keen-farmer-scores-japanese-deal
Radio NZ National press release | April 2012
A direct supply deal between Otago farm 'Closeburn Station' and a Japanese clothing company will hopefully create opportunities for other Otago wool farmers as well.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/102672/merino-wool-deal
Radio NZ press release| August 2012
Wool deal expected to lead to bigger things: Craig Smith of H Dawson arranged the first trial shipment of 15 micron wool from Closeburn Station to Konaka company in Japan for a new range of coats.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/112599/japanese-wool-deal-expected-to-lead-to-bigger-things
Otago Daily Times | August 2012
Tony Clarke and Rebecca Crawford, with their children Anna (10) and Hayden (7), were photographed yesterday by Go Sugimoto, helped by Yuki Ito and Yohei Kakinuma, for a marketing campaign in Japan.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/business/220650/nz-connection-suits-japanese-fine
Otago Daily Times | April 2012
Konaka Co Ltd chief executive Kensuke Konaka with technical adviser Mitsuo Hori, and Kento Nagao from wool trading company Nagao Shoji, visit Closeburn Station.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/farming/204482/fine-deal-merino-farmer
Radio NZ National podcast interview | April 2012
Tony and Rebecca Clarke, of Closeburn Station, have sent their first shipment of merino wool to a Japanese corporate-wear manufacturer and retailer, Konaka Co. The ultra-fine 15-micron wool they are supplying will be used to replace cashmere in a new range of winter garments. The deal came about because of Tony's mad keen interest in karate.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/audio/2516435/karate-keen-farmer-scores-japanese-deal
Radio NZ National press release | April 2012
A direct supply deal between Otago farm 'Closeburn Station' and a Japanese clothing company will hopefully create opportunities for other Otago wool farmers as well.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/102672/merino-wool-deal