The Story behind Kaiwhakangau

Kaiwhakangau is more than clothing.

Kaiwhakangau is a whānau-led clothing brand that began with a kōrero between a couple of hunting wahine.

We wanted gear shaped for us—gear that fits, lasts, and doesn’t cost the earth. Built for wāhine who live outside, and made to inspire others to step out too.

Now, we’ve got gear for the whole whānau—tāne, tamariki, wild-at-heart nanas. Every fleece carries that spark: connection, kaupapa, and the invitation to step away from the screen and back into the wild.

Wherever your adventure leads, we invite you to walk with us. Kaiwhakangau isn’t just clothing—it’s a journey.

And every sale helps put wild kai on the tables of vulnerable whānau across Tairāwhiti. Learn more here –Kai Connect

That’s the heartbeat behind the brand.

Healthy waters. Healthy land. Healthy people.
That’s the legacy we wear.

Meet the Team Behind Kaiwhakangau

Kaiwhakangau is whānau-led, heart-first, and proudly rooted in Tairāwhiti.

 

Every stitch is for the people we love, the land we walk, and the legacy we’re building.
 

At the helm are
Rob and Lisa Daunton—partners in life, legacy, and the wild.

Together, they carry the vision of Kaiwhakangau: to craft outdoor clothing that honours wāhine, uplifts whānau, and reconnects people with the whenua. From the ridgeline to the workshop, from wild kai to warm fleece, every stitch is guided by their shared commitment to service, dignity, and connection.
Lisa is the founder and creative force—leading design, storytelling, and kaupapa with grit and grace.
Rob brings practical wisdom, deep respect for the land, and a steady hand in the hunt and the heart of operations.
They walk the talk—feeding whānau, protecting legacy, and building gear that fits real life.
Kaiwhakangau isn’t just a brand. It’s a movement. And it starts with whānau.