Hat maker to the stars, Hill's Hats in Petone is gearing up to celebrate it's 150th anniversary next year. That's a huge achievement for any business, especially one in the manufacturing sector, but it's not all peachy in Petone. Hills is facing increased competition from overseas. Recently several key clients including Defence have shifted their hat orders away from Hills, instead signing contracts with offshore manufacturers. The result of this pressure is that Hills have also started importing hats made in China, and selling them under their Eskay brand. Hills Hats Owner Simon Smuts-Kennedy tell us more about what's going on in the Hat industry, and how Hatman - a character in a gold mask, cape and captains hat has been helping them to secure export orders.
It is my privilege to welcome Susana Lei ataua to the RNZ Pacific team.
Susana will be joining RNZ Pacific officially in August, in the role of News Editor. She brings a wealth of experience, having worked both in New Zealand and overseas.
Of Samoan and Palagi descent, Susana is no stranger to the RNZ Pacific family. She was first employed by RNZ as a journalist and newsreader from 1986 to 1991. During this time she also worked for RNZ Pacific, in its first incarnation as Radio New Zealand International, which was launched in 1990.
RNZ Pacific s News Editor, Susana Lei ataua.
Photo: RNZ
Among her many achievements Susana was awarded a Fulbright New Zealand Senior Scholar Award in 2007. This allowed her to take up a position as Artist-in-Residence at New York University s Asian/Pacific/American Institute, becoming the first artist of Pacific Island descent to do so.