Tāmati Rākena – Te Rarawa

In the heart of Kaikohe, a kaupapa Māori apparel business is weaving together whakapapa, identity, and sustainability — one garment at a time.  Founded in January 2022 by Tāmati Rākena, My Taiao is more than a clothing label.  It’s a movement grounded in the values of rangatiratanga, kaitiakitanga, and whānau.

The team at My Taiao recently returned from an inspiring business trip to China.  The opportunity provided significant growth, learning, and momentum for My Taiao’s kaupapa-driven business.

Tāmati says, “The highlight of the trip was attending the Canton Fair, one of the world’s largest trade exhibitions.  While there, we engaged with global suppliers, explored emerging industry innovations, and identified pathways for sustainable expansion.”

The experience strengthened the team’s understanding of international markets and reinforced the importance of embedding Māori values within global trading environments.

Traveling alongside other pakihi Māori, My Taiao embraced principles of kotahitanga and whanaungatanga.  This collective approach allowed businesses to share learnings, strengthen collaboration, and focus on uplifting Māori enterprise development together.

Beyond the exhibition, the team visited factories and wholesale markets, meeting face-to-face with prospective suppliers.  These engagements enabled them to assess product quality, ethical practices, and environmental standards, ensuring alignment with their kaupapa-driven business model.  Strong supplier relationships were established, grounded in manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.

Tāmati says, “The financial support from Poutama directly contributed to My Taiao’s business growth planning, future product development, supply chain improvements, and long-term strategic positioning.  The trip accelerated our company’s ability to scale operations, diversify offerings, and refine strategies to better serve our whānau, hapū, iwi, and communities.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Poutama Trust for enabling Māori enterprise representation on the global stage.  The knowledge, opportunities, and partnerships gained will contribute to enduring economic outcomes for our pakihi and Māori communities.”

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