New Zealand is known internationally for its creative merits, in fact the Martin Prosperity institute regards New Zealand to be number six in the top sixteen most creative countries. New Zealand's fashion industry is a crucial contributor to the creative attributes of New Zealand this can be illustrated with New Zealand fashion week. Over one week up to forty designers showcase their looks. These shows are available to the general public, consumers, VIP's, international delegates, media, and buyers. A successful Kiwi designer is Karen Walker. Not only is she well known domestically but also internationally. Karen Walker's garments are sold as far and wide as London, Tokyo, New York, Hong Kong and Sydney. Unfortunately and rather disappointingly Karen Walker clothing is made not in New Zealand but elsewhere in Asia. Most likely because Asian manufacturing has been proved to be significantly more economic.
The economic factor being the obvious reason for New Zealand designed garments being manufactured offshore, there are may other considerable benefits of manufacturing in New Zealand. In order to uplift this industry changes will need to be made. The government should enforce more regulations on the management of importing and exporting goods. Sewing and textile design should be focused on and encouraged in schools across the country. An organization solely concerned with the industry could be set up to help fund locally owned clothing producers so they are able to purchase more and more technically advanced equipment to manage with larger and increasingly varied orders. A campaign which takes advantage of the advertising tactic "made in New Zealand" should be exposed positively and therefore the importance on garments being "made in New Zealand" will be enhanced. Most importantly the government needs to put more money into the clothing manufacturing industry in order to influence locally owned manufacturers to lower their prices. This will have many benefits for not only the industry itself but also New Zealand's fashion industry and on a wider level New Zealand's gross national income (GNI).
Producing garments in New Zealand means that the manufacturing is locally quality controlled. We are not supporting the possibility of inhumane behavior in foreign sweatshops. Not only are we able to more carefully manage the quality standards of clothing, we are also supporting an increase in employment in this specific area. New Zealand born designers will have a more accessible and affordable opportunity to have their designs come to life. As a country we have a wide range of fabrics which are in high demand, such as leather, and New Zealand merino knits we even specialize in organic and eco fabrics. These are showcased here. It seems to make sense to have a highly functional clothing producing industry to compliment our country's creative and resource assets.
