The Warehouse has collaborated with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, the Māori Language Commission, to launch a limited-edition apparel range for Matariki. 

The collection, which includes hoodies, t-shirts, and baby onesies, incorporates multiple names used throughout the Pacific region to refer to the Matariki star cluster.

The garment designs display regional linguistic variations for the constellation, including Matariki (te reo Māori), Mataliki, Matali’i, Matari’i, and Makali’i. 

The children’s apparel features a constellation pattern that glows in the dark. 

The products are distributed through physical retail stores nationwide and the company’s e-commerce platform.

According to Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr, CEO of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, the collection highlights the linguistic ancestry of te reo Māori within the broader family of Pacific languages.  

“This range is a reminder that language, heritage, and storytelling bind us, not only across the Pacific, but across all communities who now call Aotearoa home,” said Apanui-Barr.

“As people have travelled across oceans and continents over time, they have brought their languages, stories, and histories with them. These journeys, whether across Te Moana Nui-a-Kiwa or from other parts of the world, form the rich foundation of who we are today in Aotearoa.”

First commenced in 2023 with the distribution of the ‘Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’ clothing line during Māori Language Week, the partnership develops the design framework aims to represent the diverse communities and migration histories that exist within New Zealand.

“We wanted to celebrate Matariki in a way that is both stylish and meaningful for all communities in Aotearoa. This range reflects the many people who have journeyed here, bringing their stories, histories, and cultures, and who together shape a bright, shared future,” said Carrie Fairley, CMO at The Warehouse.

Last month, The Warehouse Group posted sales decline, says consumer confidence under pressure.