Knitwear Background: Traditional Kapa Haka from a Generational Perspective

Ko Wai Au?

Knitwear Background: Traditional Kapa Haka from a Generational Perspective

Kia Ora,

A bit of background on the technical manufacturing side of our business and our experience with Kākahu in Aotearoa.

My name is Graham, production manager at Kākahu Outfitters and I deal with production management.

You'll find me in the workshop manufacturing, organising, folding and keeping busy.

Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I spent many hours at my whānaus South Auckland clothing manufacturing business. I thought it was normal for clothing and knitwear to be manufactured here in Aotearoa.

After school and during the holidays, I was surrounded by massive knitting machinery, sewing machines, embroidery machines, sublimation printers, screen printing carousels, fabric cutters, steamers and lots of boxes of yarn that were used to make jumpers, beanies, scarves, shirts, shorts or whatever else was in fashion at the time.

The vibrant hustle and bustle of a knitting factory with people being productive was a real buzz.

After finishing school, I started working with my father in the factory. This started with pushing a broom and using massive scissors to cut the textile (woven yarn) coming from the machines to make beanies.

From there I learned about pattern making and running the industrial machinery before moving onto other types of garment manufacturing.

Over the past 30 years I have worked on producing garments for everything imaginable and have learned a lot about the clothing industry. I have seen it change and have had to evolve with it. From making jumpers for well known brands like Huffer when they launched in the 90s to working in Otara for Adidas where we made All Blacks jerseys right here in New Zealand.

Since then there has been a switch to 'fast fashion' and offshore manufacturing.

These days with Kākahu Outfitters, we are focused on providing niche solutions for cultural and special interest groups.

We have a range of techniques and with our experience we will come up with a solution to best suit the size of your school, team or organization.

I am proud to see our garments being made right here by Kiwis with material that comes from our machines.

And as much as these traditional knitwear patterns are important to Kapa Haka, it is equally important to me that we have been able to carry on a family tradition background of textile manufacturing.

Each one of our garments is made with pride and has a bit of our heritage built into it.