It’s a bright day for sock wearers of New Zealand.

Norsewear, the outfitter of farmers based in Norsewood, southern Hawkes Bay, has been sold to Ben Nathan , ex-owner of Barkers Menswear. While some of the Norsewear workers in Norsewood and Wanganui will be losing their jobs the sock ‘department’ will continue knitting.

As a young man growing up in Waipukurau, Norsewear was an institution. Every farmer I knew owned a pair of the flecked socks. These socks are so good they look like your grandmother would have knitted them.

My mum still lives in Waipukurau, and everytime I go home to see her I have to pop in and have a browse through the Norsewear shop – Sugar usually sit’s in the car. She can’t see the attraction.

While its sad that the Norsewear clothing range looks likely to be made offshore in China, it’s a comfort (to my feet especially) to know that I’ll still be able to buy Norsewear socks made proudly in New Zealand.