Reo inspired bushwear for all of Aotearoa

Tamati Rakena was on track for a career in the Moerewa meatworks, but ended up with a Masters degree and founding a bush clothing business. He left school with no particular direction and AFFCO was beckoning. Many of his Kaikohe based family have been employed there and for a time he worked as a meat processor. His direction changed when he met his partner who inspired him to enrol in University to train as a teacher. In 2019, Tamati was awarded a University of Auckland Kupe Leadership Scholarship. With a Master of Education under his belt, he's now changed direction again - founding the My Taiao Clothing brand along with his partner Huri Kamira. Tamati Rakena runs the business from Kaihohe - and spoke to Kathryn Ryan about his start-up business and the journey to get there.