82 | nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » Kaiwaka Clothing Workwear born out of the dairy sector Bernadette Cooney Kaiwaka Clothing, a New Zealand-based manufacturer of high-performance outdoor workwear, was born out of the dairy sector almost 50 years ago, when its founder transitioned from dairy farming to creating durable workwear that weathers the most demanding on-farm conditions. Located in the rural town of Kaiwaka in Northland, Kaiwaka Clothing designs and develops cutting-edge outdoor and wet weather gear for both domestic and international markets. The company’s commitment to quality and innovation ensures their products can withstand the toughest conditions, making them a staple for many farmers in New Zealand and beyond. Designing, developing and innovating from its Kaiwaka factory which continues to be a vital part in servicing both local and global demand. Our local factory is now steering towards supporting a product excellence strategy with small batch innovation production runs, and bulk demand manufactured offshore for global distribution says Kaiwaka Clothing general manager Tyron Barker. “These are well researched, and trailed, technologically advanced wet weather garments that endure tough conditions year in and year out for over decades at times,” says Tyron. “You can get generations of wear from them. It is not uncommon to have 20-year-old jackets sent in for a repair or refresh.” All garments come with a lifetime warranty and a free care for life repair service. “If it tears or a stud breaks or zips bust, we will repair it for free. Continuous product development is a cornerstone of Kaiwaka Clothing’s philosophy. If you need it re-waterproofed, we’ll do that too.” For dairy farming families, Kaiwaka Clothing’s flagship brand, Stormforce, is the choice for the toughest tasks in the shed and out in the field. A premium range of waterproof jackets, overtrousers, bib overtrousers, parkas and vests. “As mid-tier options our Dairytex range of waterproofs are chemical, oil and animal fat resistant and our Sealtex range is a good all- purpose choice,” says Tyron. Outside of their core wet weather products, Kaiwaka Clothing supply other work and recreational wear including overalls, fleece, hoodies, aprons, shorts, thermals, socks, beanies, gaiters and mittens. Kaiwaka Clothing is versatile and suitable for a diverse range of occupations and activities such as agriculture, beef and sheep farming, commercial and recreational fishing, building and hunting. They have supply agreements with major rural agriculture retailers such as Farm Source, PGG Wrightson, Farmlands and other independents. Continuous product development is a cornerstone of Kaiwaka Clothing’s philosophy. By partnering with an extensive network of farmers nationwide to test and trial new products, the company ensures that their clothing is fit for purpose, comfortable, and embraces new technology in a fast-changing environment. “A classic example of our product development methodology would be our milking sleeves, inspired by a local dairy farmer’s idea, are now sold globally,” Tyron notes. Performance gear from Kaiwaka is made from technical fabrics that are functional, durable, and smart-looking, sourced from the world’s best textile makers. “Every type of fabric is unique in its blend, tailored for its intended use” says Tyron. This focus on quality and innovation extends to their exploration of natural fibres range using New Zealand wool with full traceability of the wool’s origins. With free repair services and a dedication to longevity, Kaiwaka Clothing stands out as a sustainable and reliable choice for the dairy industry and beyond. Every Kaiwaka tells a story. 1984 Came off second best with the fence 1995 Moving stock in the flood 2002 Fell off quad bike. Looks worse than it was. 1979 Tractor ripped it. Gutted. 2013 Fly fishing weekend. Our garments are guaranteed to last a lifetime. If life has taken its toll, bring it in and we’ll repair it for free. www.kaiwakaclothing.co.nz | 09 431 2187
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