Te Oranga Tonutanga

The global fashion industry has a very real and measurable impact on the environment, and at Kiddiewinks - Rerehua Rehua we believe that fast fashion represents 

the greatest threat within that industry. Fast fashion’s focus on cheap, mass-produced, trend-driven clothing contributes to massive waste and pollution far 

beyond what small, emerging designers, whether sustainable minded or not, produce. 

For example:

• The fashion industry accounts for around 10% of global carbon emissions, more than international aviation and shipping combined. (World Economic Forum)
  
  

• Textile dyeing and treatment are responsible for about 20% of global industrial water pollution. (European Parliament)
  
  

• Only a tiny fraction of textile materials are recycled into new clothing, with less than 1% of discarded clothing becoming new garments, and millions of tons ending up in landfills every year. (ZipDo)
  
  

• Producing a single cotton t-shirt can require around 2,700 litres of water - enough for one person to drink for more than two years. (European Parliament)
  
  

These figures reflect systemic overproduction and waste, not the creativity of individual makers. At Kiddiewinks, we acknowledge that completely eliminating environmental impact may never be possible-but we reject the fast fashion model that treats clothing as disposable.

Our sustainability practice is rooted in intentionality and care. We will not order fresh fabric by the roll for printing or large-scale production. Instead, we focus on repurposing fabrics and garments: taking what already exists and giving it new life. Rangatahi who participate in our programmes learn to work with reclaimed materials, using old buttons, zips, trims, and embellishments wherever possible, developing skills while reducing waste.

There are still times when we use standard thread and newer fabrics-when needed for strength, safety, or learning outcomes, but we never follow a throwaway model. What matters to us is how we think about materials and the choices we make each day to lessen our footprint on Papatūānuku, our whenua, our moana, our ngahere, and our people.

For us, kaitiakitanga means responsible stewardship, and rangatiratanga means choosing a path that honours both people and planet. We see sustainability not as perfection, but as a daily practice and learning journey. We are open to learning more, adapting, and growing, and we invite our community to walk that path with us.