A journey to the New Zealand roots
When two adventurous friends venture into the breathtaking nature of New Zealand to find the origin of merino wool from merino pioneer icebreaker, they immerse themselves in the culture of New Zealand: the film tells of exploring the country’s enchanting nature, of profound conversations with locals and their stories and of immersing themselves in their everyday lives, but also of discovering their own connection to nature and learning valuable life lessons.
directors statement.
With Merino Trails, I was able to embark on a journey that combined my two strongest motivations as a filmmaker: the love for adventure and the responsibility to tell stories about our environment. Together with my friend Jonas and with the support of Icebreaker, I set out to explore New Zealand in search of the origins of merino wool. What we found was far more than just breathtaking landscapes — we were welcomed into the everyday lives of local sheep farmers and allowed to see their world through their eyes, a perspective rarely accessible to tourists.
From the beginning it was important to me that the film remained authentic. Although Icebreaker supported the project, they never influenced the story I told. What I witnessed — how the sheep are kept, how the wool is sourced — is what I portrayed on screen. And I am convinced that the brand invests significant effort into ensuring sheep farming is carried out in a responsible and respectful way.
One of the greatest challenges was balancing the physical demands of hiking through New Zealand’s backcountry with the weight of my camera equipment, while at the same time weaving together the thrill of adventure and the depth of an educational narrative. Yet, in those moments — hiking, filming, talking to people — I felt a rare sense of freedom and fulfillment. I could express myself fully and channel my sense of adventure into storytelling.
My hope is that audiences experience Merino Trails as both an informative and heartfelt film — a story that sheds light on a subject often abstract and far away, while inspiring them to set out on adventures of their own.