From Hawai‘i to Northland, one woman’s love of colour, culture and community is inspiring a fresh take on New Zealand fashion.
What if the shirt you wore told a story?
Not just a story about fashion or trends, but a story about place, people, adventure and identity.
That’s the idea behind Kaleo Designs, a boutique clothing brand based in Kerikeri that is transforming original New Zealand artwork into vibrant clothing, accessories and gifts designed to celebrate what makes this country special.
Founded by Christine Makaweo, Kaleo combines her Hawaiian roots with her love for her adopted home in Northland, creating colourful, limited-edition pieces that feel distinctly Kiwi while embracing the relaxed spirit of island life.
Hawai‘i Has Aloha Shirts. New Zealand Has Aroha Shirts.
Growing up in Hawai‘i, Christine was surrounded by Aloha shirts.
“They’re much more than clothing,” she explains. “They’re an expression of place, culture, lifestyle and belonging.”
After moving to New Zealand, she noticed something was missing.
While Kiwis love casual, comfortable clothing, there wasn’t a local equivalent that celebrated New Zealand’s unique stories, landscapes and culture in the same way.
The solution? Create one.
The result is Kaleo’s signature Aroha Shirt – a distinctly Kiwi interpretation of the classic Hawaiian shirt, featuring original artwork inspired by New Zealand’s coastlines, wildlife, history and cultural influences.
Growing up in Hawai‘i, Christine was surrounded by Aloha shirts.
“They’re much more than clothing,” she explains. “They’re an expression of place, culture, lifestyle and belonging.”
After moving to New Zealand, she noticed something was missing.
While Kiwis love casual, comfortable clothing, there wasn’t a local equivalent that celebrated New Zealand’s unique stories, landscapes and culture in the same way.
The solution? Create one.
The result is Kaleo’s signature Aroha Shirt – a distinctly Kiwi interpretation of the classic Hawaiian shirt, featuring original artwork inspired by New Zealand’s coastlines, wildlife, history and cultural influences.
The name couldn’t be more fitting. While Hawai‘i has “Aloha”, New Zealand has “Aroha” – a word that captures love, connection, respect and community.
Fashion That Starts with Art
Unlike many clothing brands that begin with fabric patterns or trend forecasts, every Kaleo collection starts with a blank canvas.
Each print is created in collaboration with New Zealand artists, including graphic designers, tattoo artists, illustrators and traditional Māori carvers.
Their artwork is then transformed into limited-edition fabric prints, creating pieces that feel less like mass-produced fashion and more like wearable galleries.
The inspiration comes from everywhere: native flora and fauna, coastal landscapes, local legends, Kiwiana and the unique stories that shape life in New Zealand.
The result is clothing that sparks conversations.
Because when someone asks, “Where did you get that shirt?” there’s often a fascinating story behind the answer.
Slow Fashion with Heart
In an era of fast fashion and disposable trends, Kaleo takes a different approach.
Collections are produced in small runs, ensuring each design remains exclusive while reducing waste and encouraging more thoughtful consumption.
The focus is on premium-quality fabrics, timeless styling and garments designed to be worn for years rather than seasons.
That means comfortable men’s shirts, including larger sizes up to 4XL, women’s resort wear, easy-to-wear dresses and stylish golf polos that transition effortlessly from beach walks to dinners out.
Many pieces are wrinkle-resistant and travel-friendly too, making them ideal companions for holidays, cruises and weekend getaways.
A Little Pacific Sunshine, A Lot of Kiwi Heart
For Christine, the connection between New Zealand and the Pacific has always felt natural.
“I’ve always been a toes-in-the-sand island girl,” she says.
After growing up in Hawai‘i and spending years in the Solomon Islands, she found herself immediately at home in Northland’s warm climate, coastal lifestyle and strong sense of community.
That blend of Pacific influence and Kiwi identity is woven through every Kaleo collection.
The brand’s name itself reflects this philosophy. “Kaleo” means “to express” in Hawaiian, and that’s exactly what each design aims to do – express the stories, beauty and character of New Zealand through art and fashion.
The Shirt with a Story to Tell
One of Kaleo’s designs is the Men’s Sail the Bay Kiwi Classic Shirt.
The print began life as a watercolour painting by local artist Beth Bertenshaw, who arrived in New Zealand on a one-way ticket seeking adventure, sailing opportunities and a new life.
Her artwork features three iconic vessels – Ranger, Rawene and Ngataki – all celebrated names in New Zealand sailing history.
For Beth, the painting represented her own connection to the sea and her experiences on New Zealand waters.
For Kaleo, it became an opportunity to preserve and share that story.
Today, those sailing legends continue their journey, transformed into a striking wearable artwork enjoyed by fellow sailors, ocean lovers and adventurers.
It’s a perfect example of what makes the brand different.
Real art.
Real stories.
Made to wear.
More Than Clothing
While Kaleo’s shirts have become a signature favourite, the collection extends well beyond apparel.
Customers can also discover silk scarves, beach towels, bucket hats and tote bags, alongside homewares including tablecloths and napkins that bring a touch of Kiwi creativity into everyday life.
Many items make thoughtful gifts too – particularly for travellers wanting to take home a meaningful piece of New Zealand that goes beyond the usual souvenir.
Because when a gift carries a story, it becomes something far more memorable.
Celebrating What You Love
At its heart, Kaleo is about celebrating New Zealand through creativity, community and connection.
Every print honours local artists. Every collection reflects a sense of place. Every piece is designed to be lived in, enjoyed and shared.
It’s fashion with a story, art with a purpose, and a reminder that what we wear can say something meaningful about who we are and what we love.
As Christine puts it:
“Celebrate what you love in what you wear.”
And judging by Kaleo’s growing following, plenty of Kiwis are doing exactly that.