30 Aug 2023

New Zealand Fashion Week: Day 1

1:04 pm on 30 August 2023
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: Kaiora Tipene with her baby Ngawaiata Irirangi Taimania Tipene on the runway during the Campbell Luke show during New Zealand Fashion Week 23: Kahuria at Viaduct Events Centre‎ on August 29, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Kaiora Tipene with her baby Ngawaiata Irirangi Taimania Tipene on the runway during the Campbell Luke show. Photo: Getty Images for NZ Fashion Week/Mackenzie Sweetnam

A week-old baby, musician Teeks and Te Pati Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi were among models on the catwalk during the first day of New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria on Tuesday.

Newborn Ngawaiata Irirangi Taimania Tipene, cradled in the arms of her mother Kaiora Tipene, appeared unfazed by her first foray into modelling during a show by Wellington fashion designer Bobby Campbell Luke. She is the seventh child of Tipene and husband Francis, who are best-known as the funeral directors in The Casketeers.

Yesterday's event began with a show from Kiri Nathan, the first Māori fashion designer to open the showcase of New Zealand fashion design. Nathan's models included singer Teeks and Te Pati Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: A model walks the runway during the Jacqueline Anne show during New Zealand Fashion Week 23: Kahuria at Viaduct Events Centre‎ on August 29, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

A model walks the runway during the Jacqueline Anne show at New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria. Photo: Getty Images for NZ Fashion Week/Fiona Goodall

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: Singer Teeks walks the runway during the Kiri Nathan show during New Zealand Fashion Week 23: Kahuria at Viaduct Events Centre‎ on August 29, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Singer Teeks walks the runway during the Kiri Nathan show during New Zealand Fashion Week 23: Kahuria, 29 August 2023 in Auckland. Photo: Getty Images for NZ Fashion Week/Brendon Thorne

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: A model walks the runway during the Kiri Nathan show during New Zealand Fashion Week 23: Kahuria at Viaduct Events Centre‎ on August 29, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

A model walks the runway during the Kiri Nathan show at New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria. During the event, her skirt was spray-painted with the words 'hope' and 'tūmanako'. Photo: Getty Images for NZ Fashion Week/Brendon Thorne

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: Designer Kiri Nathan thanks the audience following  the Kiri Nathan show during New Zealand Fashion Week 23: Kahuria at Viaduct Events Centre‎ on August 29, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Designer Kiri Nathan surrounded by models, including Te Pati Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi (left), following her show at New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria. Photo: Getty Images for NZ Fashion Week/Brendon Thorne

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 30: A model prepares backstage ahead of The Graduate Show during New Zealand Fashion Week 23: Kahuria at Viaduct Events Centre‎ on August 30, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

A model adorned with a bird headpiece prepares backstage ahead of The Graduate Show during New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria. Photo: Getty Images for NZ Fashion Week/Fiona Goodall

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: A model prepares backstage ahead of the Rory William Docherty show during New Zealand Fashion Week 23: Kahuria at Viaduct Events Centre‎ on August 29, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Rory Docherty adjusts a model's headwear before his New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria show in Auckland. Photo: Getty Images for NZ Fashion Week/Mackenzie Sweetnam

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: Designer Kate Sylvester (R) is interviewed by Stacy Gregg during the 30 Years of Kate Sylvester & The Women Who Inspired Her discussion at New Zealand Fashion Week 23: Kahuria at Viaduct Events Centre‎ on August 29, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Fashion designer Kate Sylvester, right, discusses her three decades in fashion with journalist Stacy Gregg at 30 Years of Kate Sylvester & the Women Who Inspired Her at New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria in Auckland. Photo: Getty Images for NZ Fashion Week/Fiona Goodall

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: Models walk the runway during the Juliette Hogan show during New Zealand Fashion Week 23: Kahuria at Viaduct Events Centre‎ on August 29, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Models wearing Juliette Hogan designs pose at the end of her catwalk show at New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria in Auckland. Photo: Getty Images for NZFW / Brendon Thorne