Kiribati women’s fashion businesses inspire and thrive
Tuimata Baoti and Arinateiti Baia. Their success has inspired other Kiribati women.
A splash of colour from Arina Sewing
Stylish and elegant clothing from Tui Fashion.
by Alisha McLennan
Communications student
Two Warkworth Kiribati women, who harnessed their love of sewing to start businesses from their homes, are now selling island-style clothing throughout New Zealand.
And their success has inspired other women in Warkworth’s substantial Kiribati community to do the same.
Arinateti Baia and Tuimata Baoti create and sell tibutas (a traditional woman’s blouse), shirts, dresses and children’s clothing. Once made, the clothes are picked up or posted to customers. Both women have buyers from as far away as Hamilton and Wellington, as well as locally. Arina Sewing is Arinateiti’s first business, but she has been sewing since she was 15.