<p>(Image: Supplied)</p><p>In this episode of <strong>Humans of Agriculture</strong>, Oli and Mick Corcoran sit down with <strong>Angus Street</strong>, <strong>CEO of Zentera (formerly New Zealand Merino)</strong>, for a full-circle conversation on <strong>leadership, legacy, and the future of wool.</strong></p><p><br>From growing up on a farm in northern NSW to navigating job loss during the GFC, launching startups in China, and leading major ag businesses, Angus shares an honest reflection on a career shaped by <strong>curiosity, risk, and relationships.</strong></p><p>Now at the helm of <strong>Zentera</strong>, Angus unpacks the company’s evolution from a grower-led wool collective into a global, purpose-driven brand focused on traceability, <strong>sustainability</strong>, and premium markets. He explains why the wool industry must fight for relevance in a <strong>synthetic-dominated world</strong>, and how consumer trends in Europe, China, and the US are creating new opportunities.</p><p>The conversation dives deep into leadership, what it takes to step into an existing culture as CEO, why “discovery before diagnosis” matters, and the importance of putting people at the centre of transformation.</p><p>This episode is equal parts strategy, storytelling, and self-reflection - grounded in agriculture but globally relevant.</p><p>Key insights from the conversation</p><ul><li>Angus Street’s journey from journalism to global ag leadership</li><li>Lessons from failure and starting businesses in China</li><li>The evolution of New Zealand Merino into Zentera</li><li>What “whakapapa” means in a business context</li><li>How wool is competing in a synthetic-dominated market</li><li>Leadership lessons: curiosity, culture, and managing change</li><li>Why the future of wool depends on collaboration and storytelling</li></ul><p>Chapters:<strong><br></strong>00:00 Intro &amp; Why This Conversation Matters<br>02:10 Meet Angus Street<br>03:50 Early Career, China &amp; AuctionsPlus Journey<br>08:00 From NZ Merino to Zenterra: The Rebrand<br>11:30 What Zenterra Does &amp; Global Brand Partnerships<br>14:40 Moving to NZ &amp; Leading an Existing Team<br>18:05 First 90 Days as CEO: Curiosity Over Action<br>21:00 Culture, Change &amp; Leadership Lessons<br>26:40 Global Wool Demand &amp; Market Trends<br>30:45 Premiums, Growers &amp; Industry Challenges<br>33:40 The Future of Wool: Niche or Opportunity?<br>35:20 Dream Job, Family &amp; Life on the Land<br>38:40 Wrap Up</p>
<br><p><strong>Atlas Grazing:<br></strong>This episode is brought to you by Atlas Grazing.</p><p>If you run livestock, you know the results come from countless small decisions made<br>in the paddock. Season after season. Experience and instinct guide those calls, and<br>nothing replaces that.</p><p>There's a new tool called Atlas Grazing worth taking a look at. Developed from more<br>than a decade of working alongside graziers and supporting real farm businesses, it<br>brings your livestock records, paddocks and rainfall together in one place.<br>The right tools don't replace what you already know. They give you the clarity to act<br>sooner, with more confidence. See what's happening across your operation at a<br>glance, adapt as conditions change, and keep work moving wherever the day takes<br>you.</p><p>Atlas Grazing. Clear records. Confident livestock decisions.<br>Start your free 30-day trial at <a href="https://atlasag.com/atlasgrazing">AtlasAg.com/grazing</a></p>

Humans of Agriculture

Humans of Agriculture

“If we don’t fight for wool, we’ll become a cottage industry” with Zentera CEO Angus Street

MAR 23, 202639 MIN
Humans of Agriculture

“If we don’t fight for wool, we’ll become a cottage industry” with Zentera CEO Angus Street

MAR 23, 202639 MIN

Description

(Image: Supplied)In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli and Mick Corcoran sit down with Angus Street, CEO of Zentera (formerly New Zealand Merino), for a full-circle conversation on leadership, legacy, and the future of wool.From growing up on a farm in northern NSW to navigating job loss during the GFC, launching startups in China, and leading major ag businesses, Angus shares an honest reflection on a career shaped by curiosity, risk, and relationships.Now at the helm of Zentera, Angus unpacks the company’s evolution from a grower-led wool collective into a global, purpose-driven brand focused on traceability, sustainability, and premium markets. He explains why the wool industry must fight for relevance in a synthetic-dominated world, and how consumer trends in Europe, China, and the US are creating new opportunities.The conversation dives deep into leadership, what it takes to step into an existing culture as CEO, why “discovery before diagnosis” matters, and the importance of putting people at the centre of transformation.This episode is equal parts strategy, storytelling, and self-reflection - grounded in agriculture but globally relevant.Key insights from the conversationAngus Street’s journey from journalism to global ag leadershipLessons from failure and starting businesses in ChinaThe evolution of New Zealand Merino into ZenteraWhat “whakapapa” means in a business contextHow wool is competing in a synthetic-dominated marketLeadership lessons: curiosity, culture, and managing changeWhy the future of wool depends on collaboration and storytellingChapters:00:00 Intro & Why This Conversation Matters02:10 Meet Angus Street03:50 Early Career, China & AuctionsPlus Journey08:00 From NZ Merino to Zenterra: The Rebrand11:30 What Zenterra Does & Global Brand Partnerships14:40 Moving to NZ & Leading an Existing Team18:05 First 90 Days as CEO: Curiosity Over Action21:00 Culture, Change & Leadership Lessons26:40 Global Wool Demand & Market Trends30:45 Premiums, Growers & Industry Challenges33:40 The Future of Wool: Niche or Opportunity?35:20 Dream Job, Family & Life on the Land38:40 Wrap Up Atlas Grazing:This episode is brought to you by Atlas Grazing.If you run livestock, you know the results come from countless small decisions madein the paddock. Season after season. Experience and instinct guide those calls, andnothing replaces that.There's a new tool called Atlas Grazing worth taking a look at. Developed from morethan a decade of working alongside graziers and supporting real farm businesses, itbrings your livestock records, paddocks and rainfall together in one place.The right tools don't replace what you already know. They give you the clarity to actsooner, with more confidence. See what's happening across your operation at aglance, adapt as conditions change, and keep work moving wherever the day takesyou.Atlas Grazing. Clear records. Confident livestock decisions.Start your free 30-day trial at AtlasAg.com/grazing