Ngā Mihi o Matariki: Reflecting on Our Journey at Kākahu Outfitters

Kia ora koutou,

As we pass the shortest day of the year and celebrate the vibrant wānanga of Matariki, we pause to reflect on a whirlwind start to 2025 and count our many blessings. The launch of Kākahu Outfitters, our tāonga dedicated to crafting Kapa Haka costumes, has been a journey of passion, perseverance, and pride.

Creating a brand like Kakahu may seem straightforward, but the mahi behind it tells a deeper story. From sourcing cutting-edge machinery and design systems from overseas to importing high-quality materials for our garments, every step required careful planning, significant investment, and unwavering commitment. Launching a business during what many call a recession brought financial challenges, but our vision to weave authentic, meaningful Kapa Haka costumes kept us grounded.

The early months tested our resolve. With no orders coming in, we wondered if we’d made the right choice—after all, we have a whānau to nurture and a home to sustain. Starting a business is always a risk, but it’s one we took with heart. Then, after countless quotes and emails exchanged with customers across Aotearoa and even Australia, the tide turned. Orders surged, taking us from zero to a hundred in what felt like an instant. Your trust in us to bring your dream kākahu to life has been humbling.

We’re deeply grateful for the aroha and patience you’ve shown as we’ve grown. Your positive reviews, heartfelt messages, and shared photos of our costumes in action fill us with joy. It’s always a vulnerable moment sending a kākahu out into the world, so hearing your feedback and seeing your performances truly means everything. We warmly welcome any photos or stories you’d like to share—your experiences bring our creations to life.

One unexpected gift has been the ability to provide work for our local community, enabling them to support their own whānau. This sense of pride wasn’t fully anticipated in our business planning, reminding us that the human side of our mahi outweighs even the most detailed financial spreadsheets.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to welcome a new pēpi into our whānau in the coming weeks, but rest assured, our commitment to you remains steadfast. Production continues, and we’re actively quoting and planning for September and October deliveries of full Kapa Haka costumes. We also have capacity to craft tāniko designs within a couple of weeks, ensuring your vision is ready for upcoming performances.

Ngā mihi nui for your support and trust in Kākahu Outfitters. We’re here to weave your stories into every stitch. If you need a quote, a design consultation, or simply want to kōrero, reach out anytime.

Ngā manaakitanga,

The Kākahu Outfitters Team