New Zealand Rugby Captain Scott Barrett’s connection to the land runs deep.
Raised on a dairy farm along the windswept Taranaki Coast, he’s no stranger to long days, wet weather, and the kind of tough, hands-on work that defines rural life in Aotearoa. It’s where he learned resilience. It’s also where he learned that gear needs to earn its keep, because when you are up against the elements, there’s no room for kit that does not hold up.
That’s why teaming up with Kaiwaka Clothing made sense to Scott. It felt like coming home to a brand that shares the same values he was raised on.
“I wanted to partner with a grassroots Kiwi company that produces quality gear that lasts, so Kaiwaka was a great fit,” he says.
From paddocks to pitches
Scott’s upbringing on the farm shaped more than just his work ethic. With seven siblings at home, competition wasn’t reserved for the rugby field.
“The saying ‘first in, best dressed’ definitely applied when we were heading out into the elements.”
This gave him a real appreciation for quality gear, something his father, Kevin Barrett, also values.
“Over the years, Dad has managed to get his hands on a bit of rugby gear, but a new Kaiwaka jacket is, by far, his favourite piece of kit he has received to date.”
Kevin’s not alone. Across the country, thousands of farmers trust Kaiwaka gear. Designed in regional New Zealand, tested on farms, and refined over decades, it is designed to perform in the worst of weather.
A fit that makes sense
With 50 years of product research and development, which has been tested day in, day out on farms around New Zealand, Scott says it is fair to say Kaiwaka knows how to make quality gear that has stood the test of time.
“As someone who appreciates practicality, comfort, and simply getting the job done, Kaiwaka gear certainly ticks all the boxes for me. When the job starts before sunrise and the weather turns rough, having gear that keeps you dry and moving comfortably is the kind of difference you feel straight away.”
Kaiwaka is renowned by farmers for its enduring customer service. Acknowledging rips and damage that can happen to clothing out on-farm, the clothing company offers a free repair service on all its garments. It is just one more way they back the people who back them.
A shared foundation
Founded in Kaiwaka, Northland, the company is now celebrating 200 seasons – 50 years of facing up to the elements, “getting the job done and coming back for more”.
To mark the milestone, Kaiwaka is releasing a new and improved Stormforce range. Kaiwaka’s farming heritage dates back six generations, and the company knows what it means to work outdoors. This is why it uses the leading technology, tough materials and innovative designs to bring farmers fit for purpose, high-performance outdoor gear. The partnership with Scott is built on shared principles of hard work, quality, and integrity.
“To be able to support a grassroots, Kiwi-owned business that still operates out of regional New Zealand is something I’m really proud of. I know their gear can handle anything the farm or life can throw at it,” he says.
Visit your local Farm Source store to check out Kaiwaka Clothing’s range.
Article supplied by Kaiwaka