Celebrating another emerging Maori Brand – MOKO

Not so long ago Nikolasa came home with�a mean cap, very distinct and very styley, it had the brand name MOKO on it, we were intrigrued so began doing the digital rounds checking out what this MOKO label was all about and came across www.onuworld.com�and wow, mean styles, but we wanted to know more so got in touch and were pleased to hear from the company founder and Creative Director, Totaea Rendell (Ngati Maru).

So we asked him about MOKO and it’s kaupapa here is what we found out.

Moko has been going for almost 4 years, the two-people team are based in Papamoa, Bay of Plenty. We were particularly interested in finding out whether the company embraced a te Ao Maori within their business framework and this is what Totaea had to say:

Yes, we believe the concept of kaitiaki to be an important part of our design process by incorporating products and services that cause the least harm to the environment for example sourcing organic cottons and using eco friendly inks and dyes for screen printing. We also require that our suppliers are fair trade and use good business practices.

�Transcending the boundaries of traditional apparel brands, Moko is a�design-driven lifestyle brand free from passing trends and fads.��

MOKO represents a community of culturally aware Maori who have every right to feel proud of their strong and unique heritage.

Totaea’s intention from the very beginning has been to create a platform for MOKO, which combines original art, design and fashion in an original way that both represents and inspires Maori.

For Moko, it is about inspiring our generation, providing something of substance and culture and above all doing it with integrity and as a united whanau.

Currently in 50 respected surf and streetwear stores, MOKO is one of New Zealand’s most exciting emerging brands. The brand name is now synonymous with quality, highly creative design and an easily recognizable, strong and eye catching brand logo.�

The future looks bright for MOKO and Maori finally have a viable and attractive alternative in an over crowded and increasingly crowded and marketplace.

Mean MOKO mean – to find out more about the kaupapa here: www.kiwitothecore.com

MOKO can be found at these retailers or online at: www.onuworld.com

North Island

• Aquapulse – Kaitaia
• High Voltage – Kerikeri
• Rebel Surf – Whangarei
• Mega Surf – Whangarei
• Tuatara – Whangarei
• Tutukaka Surf – Tutukaka
• Kakariki – Mangawhai

Auckland

• Individual – Takapuna
• Back Door – Takapuna
• Back Door – Sylvia Park, Mt. Wellington

Coromandel

• Black Jacks – Thames
• Black Jacks – Whitianga
• Saltwater – Whangamata

Waikato

• Morrinsville
• Back Door – Matamata
• Back Door – Hamilton
• Raglan Surf Co – Raglan
• Matapihi – Raglan
• Morriseys – Tokoroa
• Sports World – Otorohanga
• Tsunami Curl – Te Kuiti

Bay of Plenty

• Mt Surf Co. – Mt. Maunganui
• Hula – Mt. Maunganui
• Salt Air Surf – Whakatane

East Coast

• Boardzone – Napier
• Back Door – Napier

Taranaki

• Vertigo – Oakura

Lower North Island

• Aoteroa House – Palmeston North
• Ocean & Ice – Palmeston North

Wellington

• Surf’n’Snow – Cuba St.
• Hurricane – Manners Mall
• Aotearoa House – Cuba St.

South Island

• Cheapskates – Blenhiem
• Cheapskates – Nelson
• Cheapskates – Richmond
• Kaikoura Surf – Kaikoura
• Hunters & Collectors – Christchurch
• Nudax – Cromwell
• Nudax – Queenstown
• True Grit – Queenstown
• Westside – Greymouth