Nichola Te Kiri – Ngāi Tūhoe
NTKMADE LTD is an emblematic company known for its innovative and artistic approach to Māori design. Nichola Te Kiri of Ngāi Tūhoe and Pākeha heritage, founded the company in 2016. It is a dynamic creative enterprise that encompasses multiple product lines and offers a range of design services.
Embodying the essence of Māori culture, their creations seamlessly blend contemporary elements with timeless traditions, evoking an old-world charm with a modern twist.
Within NTKMADE LTD, they proudly present three distinctive brands:
Nichola – Designs from Aotearoa: This brand caters to the local and national market, crafting ready-to-wear clothing and accessories that embody the spirit of Aotearoa.
Top Tēpu: An exclusive monthly subscription box service that offers subscribers the privilege of being the first to receive or own limited edition earrings. These earrings are accompanied by a curated selection of products from the Nichola brand and other locally-based enterprises in Aotearoa.
KaistorSt: Their newest brand, specialising in the expert craftsmanship of bespoke and commissioned taonga, including clothing and accessories. It caters to the discerning high-end clientele both domestically and internationally.
NTKMADE LTD also extends its services to include commissioned work, tailoring unique designs to meet the specific needs of their clients. Their expertise spans a diverse range of projects, from outdoor installations to uniform creation and awards, ensuring a personalised and exceptional experience.
Poutama funding has been instrumental in bolstering their business, enabling the debut of their new label, KaistorSt, on the global stage at New Zealand Fashion Week. Additionally, the enhanced photography and videography capabilities have further refined and elevated their brand’s presence internationally.
Being a Māori designer means Nichola gets the opportunity to share her culture, her story, her kōrero with the world. However, Nichola mostly likes to tell the stories of her Tipuna (ancestors), our Atua (Gods) and her whakapapa (bloodlines).
Nichola is conscious of keeping the product range fresh so the business doesn’t ‘flat-line’ and says it’s important to listen to what customers like and don’t like.
The storytelling process of Nichola’s work is important to her and every design she creates has a journey from inspiration to creation. Her designs tell many stories, the narrative depends on the collection and it is the sharing of this story which makes the taonga come alive.
